<p>I don’t have amazing grades
I don’t think I can get into some of the schools I want (Dartmouth, Penn, Brown, Stanford, Duke, and even princeton)
If I go to a good school like Holy Cross, Villanova, BC, or Wake forest
and have amazing grades like 98-100s in all of my classes (now I know I am capable but it is a little late)
If I don’t have amazing test scores back in high school
could I transfer to some of the schools I want to go to after freshman year?
and is this a bad idea?</p>
<p>The percentage of transfer is even lower than undergrad admission because of fewer seats available. While it is not impossible, you should really look toward getting your UG degree from the schools you choose to attend. Take the attitude if you can transfer, fine, if not you are still happy with your school. Otherwise you are setting your self up for possible failure again a year down the road.</p>
<p>calif dad is right on. Look to around 5% acceptance rate for transfers into the type of schools you’ve mentioned.</p>
<p>You mention that you don’t have great grades now. You should try to focus on how to have great grades at HC, WF, BC, etc (wherever you decide to attend) and really enjoy what they have to offer. Those are still great learning institutions that will challenge you enormously, I guarantee it. Don’t worry about the name/prestige thing. If you end up being a 98-100 type student, there aren’t many doors closed to you.</p>
<p>If you go into your frosh year thinking: “I’ve got to nail a 99 in this class or else my Duke chances are sunk” you’re gonna be pretty miserable.</p>
<p>People who report the best college experience are those who spend 4 years. Your current choices are great schools.</p>