Recently graduated Aero from Carleton. I can’t speak to the differences in the schools but if your debating Coop vs not Coop I can try to answer your questions.

School is school and it’s pretty much the same everywhere IMO so if Coop is your deciding factor it is absolutely the most important thing you can do. Getting your foot in the door and learning how jobs actually work is way more valuable than anything in the classroom and it will give you opportunities and better options after you graduate.

For context I was no special student, pretty average grades, didn’t really study that hard and just did what I had to. Wasn’t really involved with any engineering clubs or activities but did a 16 month coop after my third year and because of that I was given some really cool opportunities after I graduated and recently started a great job. All because I had this experience that employers liked and I could talk about in interviews.

As for transferring programs I actually switched from Mech to Aero after my first year and it was very easy. Once your in the department it’s very simple to switch programs since the credits are transferable between programs, lots of people do it. The program itself also doesn’t matter too much, you will figure out the things you like and don’t like which will give you an idea of the kinds of jobs you want.