I’m a NU parent. Today in the Parents Facebook group, a parent posted that when their son (MechE and Robotics) was making a college choice 3 years ago they connected with a robotics professor and students and visited the labs and that was helpful. Maybe the admissions office can help you. Today that student is active with his work with NU Robotics, ASME and the NASA Moon to Mars Ice Drilling and Prospecting competition. His first co-op was at a stealth robotics start up in Silicon Valley. Co-ops can be done anywhere and NU has student housing in different places, including Mountain View, CA, so that could be a way around the weather. My son (not in engineering) hasn’t had issues with advising or mental health. I think they are doing more outreach about their mental health offerings. Boston is a great college town. Heard the Honors dorm is very nice.
We visited Lehigh when there were no tours due to Covid so maybe my impression wasn’t the best. I didn’t like the hills either but my spouse told me that was why 50 year olds don’t go to college.