Thanks for the response @ucbalumnus . Regarding UIUC Prep, I was selected as a James Scholar Award Recipient meaning I am in the top 10% of my DGS class. Does this mean much when applying to transfer into the College of Engineering? Also, of the three most competitive majors I am really only interested in MechE potentially, but my first choice would be Aero as of now but that is subject to change.
I like the exploratory aspect of the Purdue First Year Engineering program because I am not entirely set on an engineering discipline, but from my research with UIUC Prep it seems that there is an exploratory aspect of that program too.
I was admitted directly towards MechE at GA Tech, but as I stated before I am now leaning towards Aero.
As of cost, UIUC will be affordable for my family, Purdue we can make work, and GA Tech would be a big burden but it is possible.