I recommend researching what types of applicants are accepted as transfers by highly-rejective SLACs like Swarthmore and Williams. Williams takes very few transfers and they are mostly applicants from community colleges, veterans, and non-traditional students. From Williams’ transfer page, “If you’re a transfer student and began your post-secondary education at a community college, in the U.S. military or elsewhere in the workforce, we especially encourage you to apply.” https://www.williams.edu/admission-aid/apply/transfer/
Swarthmore also encourages veterans and community college students to apply as transfers.
I’m not an expert on transfer admissions, just want to help temper expectations about transferring to smaller schools.