Is it better to transfer from Cal Poly Pomona to a middle tier UC or stay in UC Riverside or Merced for all 4 years of undergrad?
not really sure what you are asking. CPP is an excellent school, particularly in STEM disciplines. UCR and UCM are also good schools. 4 years at the same school offers some significant advantages, including access to internships and better access to leadership positions - both of which will make you a more attractive post-college hire.
Transferring can be the right approach, especially if you don’t fit or the school doesn’t offer your major.
Assuming you are an in-coming Freshman?? If you have not been accepted to these schools, your question is moot until you have your decisions.
I agree with @NCalRent that CPP is a very good school. What is your intended major?
The UCs prioritize California community college (CCC) students in transfer admissions – not students who are already at 4-year schools, like Cal Poly Pomona (or UCR or UCM). If you want to graduate from a mid-tier UC, and can’t get in as a freshman, then your best bet is to enroll at a CCC, perform well, and transfer from there.
Here is a comparison of Fall 2016 admit rates for CA-resident freshmen applicants vs. CA-resident transfer applicants from CCCs:
UC Davis: 38% for freshmen applicants, 60% for CCC transfer applicants
UC Irvine: 37%, 50%
UC Santa Barbara: 36%, 54%
UC San Diego: 33%, 55%
As you can see, the admit rates are consistently higher for CCC transfer applicants than for students applying as freshmen.
https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/infocenter/freshman-admissions-summary
https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/infocenter/transfer-admissions-summary
Assuming you’re already at Cal Poly Pomona, CSU students have last priority when it comes to transfers. First priority goes to California Community College students, then it’s students from other UC’s.
@FC1999: According to OP’s posting history, they are a Junior so they have not even applied to these schools so like I stated in the above post, these questions are moot.
All three schools: CPP, UC Merced and Riverside will give you a very good education. Apply for Fall 2019, see where you are accepted then decide which schools will be best. I would not attend any school with the intention of transferring to another school later. If you compile a balanced list of Safety/Match and Reach schools you should have several options and hopefully be happy at attending any of the schools on your list.