Transfer advice??

I’m a current high school senior. American University and Loyola Chicago are my best options of the schools I was accepted. I really wanted to attend UChicago (was rejected) and am planning to apply as a transfer to UChicago after 1 full year at my chosen school. My question is am I better off choosing Loyola Chicago and being in Chicago to make for an easier transfer (geographically) or should I chose American because of the two, it is more ‘competitve’ than Loyola? I may also apply as a transfer to Georgetown (was rejected) which is closer to American… Does it even matter? Thanks in advance for your offered perspective.

Also, please note that I am happy with all of my preexisting options and the transfer ideas in no way define how I will enter my chosen college community. I know that transferring is a relentless challenge (especially to such selective schools).

Choose the university you like best and/or is the most affordable and/or is where you feel you will be the happiest if the transfer applications don’t work out. Neither of these will prove to be a bar for a transfer application at your target(s). For a successful transfer application, you will need to have excellent grades, excellent letters of recommendation, and a clear statement of why your academic goals can be achieved better at the target institution.