So, the only acceptance you have in hand is at Purdue? If so, that’s what you need to focus on!
My D is finishing up her second year at Purdue. She’s a chem e in the honors college. It’s been an amazing experience so far! Big, big focus on career readiness at Purdue.
She got her job last summer after freshman year through honors college and starts the co-op she landed in January of her freshman year in a few weeks. Research is basically guaranteed for honors students because of the honors project requirement for graduation. She’s also had all kinds of leadership opportunities and got to study abroad doing an honors “maymester” in Italy.
My D has very close relationships with her profs. Courses are tough, but that’s the case everywhere in engineering. We were told by the associate honors engineering dean that the average honors first year engineering GPA is a 3.6. (At least it was two years ago when my D was entering her first year).
If aero is on your radar, Purdue is the cradle of astronauts.
In terms of your other schools if you come off the wait list…
Cornell is my alma mater. Strong academics. Very different vibe than Purdue. Students don’t declare a major until second semester sophomore year. It may not be that easy to transfer into engineering. Would be something you would need to discuss before committing if they offer you a slot. D was told that reserach slots are very competitive at Cornell. The chem e who gave us our tour was feeding rats in a genetics lab to get her foot in the door. The engineers D knows at Purdue are all doing meaningful research.
CMU - My D considered them for a bit but didn’t like that the emphasis and investments by the university seemed to be heavily skewed to CS. She’s a chem e and didn’t feel the love. Also felt the student vibe was not as happy as Purdue.
Chicago didn’t make D’s list at all, even for a visitl because of no ABET chem e program. If you know you want aero or IE, I don’t think that’s the right school.
Can’t speak for Vandy at all.