<p>I tihink it is silly to transfer out of UCLA to one of these places (Penn, Brown, WashU) for prestige only. The prestige differences seem small relative to all the other variables impacted with a transfer half way through the undergraduate experience. (If you were talking about a transfer to HYPS that would be another matter.)</p>
<p>A transfer a this stage of the game clearly makes sense if there is some specific program you now realize you want is unavailable at UCLA but is available at one of these other places. But if you are still trying to “find yourself,” a transfer might actually work against this. Because all credits might not transfer perfectlly (or distributional requirements that are are met at UCLA are not met at one of these other places) just to graduate on time you might have to take classes you really don’t want to take. (I guess Brown is better here). </p>
<p>If I were you, for each place you are considering transferring too, I would pick a tentative course sequence over the next two years. (sequences that meet all the requirements to graduate) Then I would line these up with what course sequence you would take if you stay at UCLA.</p>