Hey there, I’m a girl who just finished her junior year of high school and my brother just finished his freshman year of college at Union. I’m very interested in the geology department at Union and am considering applying there. Only thing is, I’m worried about what my brother would think … What are the negatives of siblings going to the same college? Do you think it’s a bad idea?
Ask him what he thinks. Most likely it would not be a big deal, and it works out fine for my best friend who goes to the same college as his sister. It would make transportation more convenient, and you should go if it’s the best school for you.
Yeah that’s true. Thanks for the feedback
We’ve only seen positives in our family with respect to transportation and delivering treats from home 
. My two kids don’t have to see each other on campus if they don’t want to, but they can still get together for Sunday brunch if they feel like it.
I know several sets of siblings that went to the same school, even including twins. Two of my friends even had their younger brothers join our fraternity. I don’t recall any issues.
^as above, their parents probably liked it as it meant only one parents weekend per year to attend and all bills/mailings going to the same place.
My D17 might be seeing you there in fall 2017, Union is high on her list along with Skidmore, Wesleyan, Conn C and some west coast schools. It would be delightful if her younger sister went to the same school as her some day! I don’t think your brother should have an issue with this unless he’s super protective and won’t be comfortable watching you have fun in college.
Maybe ask your brother…"I am thinking about applying to Union in addition to X and y colleges because of their geology program…If I did apply and get accepted and decide to go there, would you be comfortable if I attended? " and if he says no “Is there anything I could do to make you more comfortable” (e.g., like interact with him only when he asks, ignore him when you see him, not try to hang out with his friends) or he might not care because he knows you would run in different circles.
I’d ask him. He might have reasons other than being sibs that you would consider as pros and cons, too.
I agree, you should ask him. I think a lot depends on your relationship with your brother.
You can choose to see each other or not.
My kids are essentially at the same school (2 different colleges in the Claremont Consortium) and have no problem, but then again, they are pretty close. They have their own circle of friends, but they also hang out together. And, yes, it’s really convenient for us!
Thank you everyone!! I didn’t think I would get so many responses I’m thinking it would be fine if that’s what ends up happening - I’m going to talk to him when he gets back from his trip (he’s on a Union geology trip actually!)
Yeah I’m sure my parents would love it! We both run cross country and track so I’d see him at meets a lot, which I actually think would be nice.
So you are majoring in the same field and also have the same sport?
If i was him i might think “go find your own major”…Why have you picked geology? Because you can’t think of anything else? or is this something you have had an interest in for a time?
@bopper No I’m just fascinated by geology and want to take a class in it in college to see if it’s something I’d actually like to major/minor in. I’ve always loved the outdoors and I’ve heard all the things my brother has been doing in his geology class and it sounds right up my alley. Yeah I could see my brother thinking that haha science has always kind of been his thing and languages have been mine. I’d want to pair it with a foreign language or English major/minor. I finished AP Spanish this year and really enjoyed it. I also love English and I want to study another foreign language in college. My brother tells me Union has a good humanities program and several of his friends are pairing a Spanish major with a geology/environmental sciences minor. So that’s the type of thing I might do. I’d like to apply to Union because many of the LACs I’ve looked at don’t even have a geology department and I want to keep that option open for sure
My D1 has, for years, been the type of big sister to dismiss or ignore her younger one. She just finished her freshman year at a college that is in the top five of D2’s list. Rather than ask if she would mind D2 attending, we approached it with the question, “You’ve had some time at school and you know your sister’s personality and interests. Do you think XXX college would be a good fit?” (BTW, the answer was yes.)
Turning it around like this eliminates putting your brother on the spot, and allows him to provide valuable input that should assist you in making your college selection.
P.S. Your parents would love having you at the same school!
@NerdMom88 That sounds like a great approach. Thank you!
Also talk to your parents about college ideas…I know at first my youngest was thinking about applying where my oldest went mostly because she was now familiar with it…but once I talked with her about what she wanted in a college it would not have been a good fit.
I am three years younger than my brother and I ended up going to the same college as him. We were in different programs (both of which were unique to that college) and he was a senior when I was a freshman. Since our family lives pretty far away (plane flight necessary for visits), it was really nice to have someone there just in case something was to happen. I don’t think he minded having me there, but I also didn’t see him too much.
I too went to the same college as my older brother for a year (until he graduated). It definitely wasn’t a problem. We were both commuter students, so I didn’t have the experience of being glad he was there for emergencies, but it was nice that I could ask him where something was when I first started college. But we rarely saw each other on campus, and our schedules were a lot different.
@JenJenJenJen Does your daughter have a top choice at this point? (just curious!) I did a shadow day at Union today and I absolutely fell in love with the campus and school. Everyone I met was so friendly and helpful. I might apply early decision there!
hes in college, you’re starting college. I don’t see why it would be a problem chances are you’re not even going to run into each other… do you think he’d be embarrassed of you or something? It’s not high school anymore… Trust me people come to class in fuzzy flip flops and old worn out clothes, some are coming in their work uniforms, popularity has no place in college.