Abbey Isaac graduated with an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry in May 2025 and is now enrolled in the 4+1 Microbial Biology graduate program at Rutgers.
Transferring to Rutgers University from a New Jersey community college is a common and successful pathway for many students, aided by statewide articulation agreements that are designed to streamline the process. Abbey Isaac SEBS’25 has made that transition and feels she has a lot to offer other students contemplating that transfer journey.
Right out of Howell High School, Abbey always planned to first get an associate’s degree, then matriculate to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree. She was awarded a scholarship under NJ STARS—a state scholarship program that provides high-achieving high school graduates with a scholarship to cover tuition costs at any of the NJ’s 19 community colleges.
True to her goals, she earned an associate’s degree in biology and transferred from Brookdale Community College in May 2023 to Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences in fall 2023. Abbey graduated with an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry in May 2025 and is now enrolled in the 4+1 Microbial Biology graduate program.
Abbey brings a lot of energy to organizing and communicating information to help students transfer to Rutgers from community colleges across New Jersey.
She’s been purposeful in her efforts to help, often returning to Brookdale Community College, knowing that advice and assistance from someone who knows firsthand what it’s like to transfer from a New Jersey community college to Rutgers would benefit her peers.
L-R: Sharron Crane, assistant teaching professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, and Abbey Isaac in front of Lipman Hall on the George H. Cook campus.
“I’ve gone back to my community college plenty of times to talk about my experiences transferring and completing my studies at Rutgers. I feel like having someone who’s done it provides relief to students, and allows them to begin to plan the steps of transferring for themselves.”
Her efforts have extended to collaborating with Sharron Crane, assistant teaching professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, to launch a program to assist transfer students in their transition to academic and college life at Rutgers–New Brunswick.
Aptly named “Transferring to SEBS?” Here’s what you need to know,” the program is designed to foster a network of support by providing incoming transfer students with information about transferring to SEBS, the NJ Statewide Transfer Agreement, and NJTRANSFER.org through a straight-to-the-point Zoom webinar.
Held once a semester, community college students also get a chance to hear testimonials from current SEBS transfer students who share their transfer experience, including the ups and downs. Students are encouraged to drop questions in the chat and there’s an open Q&A immediately after the presentation.
“Many of our students transfer from community college and/or are first generation college students,” says Crane, whose interaction with students allows her to see firsthand some of the common challenges they face. “Navigating a large school like Rutgers can be intimidating and challenging. Students often have trouble choosing their courses when they first get here as well because they’re not always sure what the graduation requirements are.”
Gary Panetta is an assistant dean for transfer students in the SEBS Office of Academic Programs. “New transfers often cite time management as a challenge. There are so many clubs, organizations, classes, research opportunities, etc. for our students to explore that their time becomes a precious commodity. Balancing commuting, class, and extracurriculars takes a few weeks to figure out,” he says.
“In addition, Rutgers is an academically rigorous school, and students are quickly introduced to the expectations in a research institution’s classroom setting. Further, many students expect Rutgers to be like their last school and assume they can study or work the same way they used to in their previous institution. Things are different here and successful students often learn to approach class content, exams and projects in more methodical ways. Learning centers, tutoring and office hours are key to success!”
Once a transfer student herself, Abbey understands these challenges, explaining that “a majority of community college students upon matriculation don’t finish their bachelor’s degree in the expected timeframe of two years.”
“With “Transferring to SEBS?”, the idea is to help streamline the transferring process by spreading needed information to community college students so while they’re at their community college, they can ensure they are taking the proper courses to transfer,” she adds.
Panetta highlights a SEBS course called Academic Mentoring, which supports new students’ transition to college by engaging them in learning about the processes by which individuals learn in college and, ultimately, achieve academic success in a small class setting. “I teach a separate section of that course for new transfers only in which we connect transfer peers, facilitate adjustment to the Rutgers community, recognize school resources and academically integrate students into our broad network of distinguished faculty conducting top-tier research,” says Panetta.
For anyone exploring Rutgers SEBS specifically, Panetta suggests that “prospective transfers should research our majors, minors, courses and outcomes, then look to contact our transfer team or even undergrad program directors to ensure SEBS is good fit. We are happy to chat with prospective students and explain the transfer process. In addition, I highly recommend the RU New? Podcast where our office of Orientation and Transition Programs interview current students/staff regarding common Rutgers questions.”
Abbey Isaac in the laboratory at Edgebrook Animal Hospital. A part time vet, Abbey’s favorite spot at the animal hospital is the microscope.
Abbey was motivated to assist her community college peers because of her own challenges. She recalls the help she received as she herself adjusted to Rutgers and SEBS, leading to her collaboration with Crane to help other transfer students.
“Faculty and staff members do not get enough credit for their influence in providing a safe and welcoming space for students, especially faculty/staff at SEBS. One instructor in particular, Dr. Sharron Crane, truly had an important impact in my undergraduate experience at Rutgers,” says Abbey.
“During an advising meeting with Dr. Crane, I shared my experiences with some of my credits not transferring properly, as well as other problems with credits faced by my transfer student friends. This sparked a whole conversation where Sharron agreed—she validated my concerns by acknowledging the problem and empowered me to work with her to help fix it. This is the conversation that built “Transferring to SEBS.”
Crane is truly inspired by Abbey’s passion for transfer outreach. “She spearheaded the mission to develop the “Transferring to SEBS?” information session initiative. This semester is our third information session, and Abbey has been instrumental, not only in deciding what information to share during the session, but also in fielding questions and sharing her story about what it’s really like to transfer to Rutgers.”
As to what advice Abbey would offer to students transferring from community colleges to Rutgers-New Brunswick?
“Remember that you were good enough to get into Rutgers—so you’re more than good enough to get through the rough parts! And reiterating a million times that we often are our own worst critics.”
From personal experience, Abbey adds that “I also really recommend talking to your professors—they’re people too, and are more than often ecstatic to help students understand the topics they talk about. Establishing yourself as a student to your professor helps benefit you in the long run, especially when asking for letters of recommendations or professional/academic/research advice.”
And “most importantly—have fun! It goes by so quickly, so don’t be afraid to live in the moment. You can’t enjoy college if you spend every second studying! You need balance.”
