UIUC vs Georgia Tech - Need Advice

I posted this earlier under the UIUC discussion, so I apologize if this is a reread for some, but was advised that it may garner some more input if I move it here.

I know that this question has been posed quite a bit on CC but I have some specific questions and appreciate any input from former or current UIUC students.

My son has been accepted to both UIUC and GT for engineering. Both schools are OOS for our family and he did not receive merit aid from either school. He is from California and was wait-listed at his top UC choice so Illinois and GT are it. He would be entering as an undeclared engineering major at Illinois (interested in CE) and would start as a computer engineering major at GT. We know that both schools are comparably ranked but do differ in some distinct ways primarily a rural vs urban setting.

We visited both Illinois and Georgia Tech and he is now torn as to which school he should select. He is leaning towards UIUC but these are my concerns/questions about the school and I would really appreciate any and all feedback.

  1. Will he outgrow UIUC given its remote location? He loved the feel of the campus but I am looking forward 2-3 years from now and I wonder if the school/area has enough to offer beyond just a strong academic program? I remember how much I changed in college and I have witnessed the same growth in my older child that I worry that Illinois will limit his opportunities. Do I need to worry about this?? He will not have a car to use these next four years while away at school.
  2. What do students do in the dead of winter for fun? I lived for several years in Indiana as a graduate student and I recall the winters at Purdue were beyond brutal and there was little to do. How do students spend their down time at UIUC when the weather prohibits being outdoors?
  3. Does UIUC have maker spaces? If yes, are they easy to access and are they frequently used by students? If no, do you feel this has had negative impact on your learning opportunities? GT seems to have integrated numerous maker spaces throughout their campus but I can't figure out if this is something most students use on a regular basis especially if they have a full class load.
  4. Do a good number students at UIUC participate in Co-Ops and where are they? It appears like GT has many local Co-Op opportunities and this seems like a great way to take a break from the academic grind (if needed) and get one's hands dirty so to speak. Perhaps, this is not so important if a student is doing summer internships...
  5. How easy is it to change majors at UIUC? As an undeclared engineering student what are his chances of getting into CE and if he ends up finding it's not the right fit, does the department allow students to switch majors easily? He is not interested in CS but I could see him consider EE or ME.
  6. Has anyone participated in the undeclared engineering program? Was it beneficial and did faculty/advisers really help you select a major?
  7. How collaborative is the engineering program overall? Do students work together and is the environment supportive? Is it easy to get help or are the kids rather competitive. I know that the school is highly ranked so hard coursework and competition is expected, but what is the overall vibe of the enrolled students?
  8. In terms of the teaching approach of the school, is it largely theory based, or project based learning? I understand that engineering is math and physics based so abstract concepts will need to be taught, but do the professors rely mostly on lectures or are you getting hands-on practice to solidify concepts? (I am not engineer so this may be poorly worded or irrelevant but I just want to know if the majority of classes are long tedious lectures).
  9. How do the large number of international students impact the program? Are there many communication barriers if group projects are assigned? Does the program do a good job helping these students integrate so that the each department feels like a cohesive group of students?
  10. What is the retention rate for students in engineering? I know some attrition is to be expected but I'd like to know if it is in the double digits?
  11. Is there anything you wish you would have known about UIUC before you committed?

I appreciate any input. I am going just a tad mad trying to think through all the possible drawbacks to selecting a school that is so remote and will be under a veil of snow for months on end. I want to make sure my son makes a well informed decision about where he spends the next four years being a student.

Thanks so very much!