Personally, if that is an unknown, an the schools are pretty comparable and affordable, pick the one that seems to have most of the factors that are attractive to you.
good luck. I would choose the one most affordable. Im just saying this having put two thru engineering and gave up top eng schools for state schools. Its really what you do…grades, internships (do them after freshmen yr if you can) and research if you like that or special programs to use your eng talent
one of my kids started out as computer engineering with minor in CS. He hated the electronics in computer engineering but stuck it out since he wanted that engineering degree. He was gonna switch to CS but it was not in the engin dept. Then the school moved it right before graduating so it was an engineer degree after all. He decided to get a job after college with his minor as CS.
As far as honors, he did that too and Chemistry is a killer in the honors program for a lot of kids. Very time demanding too. Even if you did well in AP, most eng programs want you to retake it since it is different. Anyway, the honors was to much after first yr and he dropped it. If you don’t love Chemistry and are in honors Chem, then take it during the summer or winter sessions when you can just focus on it with less stress.
If you don’t do honors and do well then you can add Deans List to your resume. If you think you can do great in both then thats great too! Honor programs vary greatly at various schools.
also look at what school will get you out in 4 years for undergrad and if any offer a 4 plus 1 should you decide to get a masters.
@cali60: Thanks…Where schools did you sons go to?