This issue is, numeric stats, and specifically GPA, are the most heavily weighted factor for getting into college. In most cases, you can’t rely on extracurriculars, even great ones, to help gain admittance to a school or program where your GPA is below the average. Gies in particular has gotten to be a pretty tough admit. I know in-state kids with very high unweighted GPAs (3.8+) and very good test scores who were rejected from Gies. That doesn’t mean you can’t get in! Just means that it’s definitely a reach.
Agree with others that if you really want to be out of state you should apply to some of the many out of state programs that have been recommended. You can still go to Rutgers in the end, but having those applications out there to some affordable out of state schools may give you some nice choices, which can make for a much more exciting and happy time in the spring when admissions decisions are released.