I was a Chem E at Umich for undergrad. The program is very difficult but a great program with excellent job placement after graduation. As an alumni I am biased but one thing I will tell you is that Michigan offers you great opportunities no matter what you want to pursue. I have had many friends who arrived wanting to be one major and soon changed there mind, but fortunately no matter what program you move to at Michigan (especially within engineering) it is a top program. It gives you flexibility in the future. After graduation you join the worlds largest alumni network, something that words truly cant describe the impact of, and something that lasts the rest of your life.
As far as research goes, about half of the students that I know work in a lab doing some type of research, and the other half don’t by choice not for a lack of opportunities.
My girlfriend transferred to Michigan at the beginning of her sophomore year. She found the experience to be very smooth. Wherever you transfer to, I encourage you to find a student organization, for her it was the taekwondo club, and join. Student organization are always welcoming new members and it is a great way to find new friends and become apart of the school something that transfer students often struggle with after missing freshman dorm room bonding with there classmates.