I am thinking of going to Temple because I will get full tuition, but I ultimately want to transfer to UPENN because that really is the dream. Do you think that is realistic? Also, do students at Temple get to do research as freshmen?
It is extremely difficult to transfer to Penn.
Last year, less than 10% of transfer applicants were admitted (212 admitted out of 2,453 transfer applicants).
See section D2:
http://www.upenn.edu/ir/Common%20Data%20Set/UPenn%20Common%20Data%20Set%202014-15.pdf
if you can get into penn right away, seriously consider starting there. penn is very generous with need based aid so the costs between the 2 schools could be closer than you think. if you have to pay full price for Penn (and are admitted as freshman), then you should reconsider your above idea with realization odds are against you to transfer to penn. if yuo are admitted to both schools and file a timely FAFSA, you will be notified of how much financial aid you are getting, including need based aid from penn.
Idk if it’s realistic, but the transfer applicant rate doesn’t seem too different from the super selective regular acceptance rate.
I know some freshman doing research this summer. They are in Honors and in science/business. Not sure about other fields.