Do I need to send original copies of transcripts to universities in?
It depends but most universities do require originals. And some will require that they be sent directly from your previous school as opposed to you sending them. I still have a copy of my undergrad and grad school transcript (stashed in a file drawer just in case) and I know the set from the school where I did my Masters says that they are not valid unless they were received in an unopened envelope directly from the university. That message is printed in very large text across the top of the page.