<p>Is there anyone out there with any experience in how college adcoms handle applications from twins? I have identicals who are pretty even in their abilities and interests and will probably apply to pretty much the same schools (out of necessity, since their projected major is film and there are not that many schools that offer film), though they will most likely choose to attend different schools once admitted. I recall reading somewhere that adcoms often accept or reject twins together, though I don't know how true that is. Anyway, any insights into this matter will be much appreciated!</p>
<p>Two of my daughter's best friends from h.s. were identical twins who had similar accomplishments. However, one was slightly academicallly stronger; the other, somewhat more active in ec's. They both applied ED to Columbia...the former was accepted, the latter, deferred and later rejected. (however, she then transferred to Columbia after freshman year).</p>
<p>My son was friends in high school with two female non-identical twins. One was more skewed toward the sciences, one toward humanities, but they were very similar in statisics, ECs and of course life experiences. I don't know their whole accept/reject rate, but several schools did accept them both.</p>
<p>As it turned out twin 1 accepted the offer of College A and twin 2 College B, both with substantial finaid packages. Then twin 1 was taken off the waitlist at her first choice College C. So the twins' father called college A and asked them just to substitute twin 2 for twin 1, which they did! The final outcome was that twin 1 has thrived at college C and twin 2 hated College A, dropped out and went into an entirely different (but good) educational environment.</p>
<p>It's certainly complicated but I'd think that being a twin would make a good hook.</p>
<p>Thank you both for your very interesting stories!</p>
<p>Harvard and MIT had accepted half dozen or so sets of twins last year. Two years ago Berkeley accepted all three of a set of triplets. This was unusual enough to get newspaper articles written about it.</p>
<p>An the downside, this year a regular poster here was much anguished that she didn't get into the all the fancy schools that her twin brother did and had to "settle" for Michigan. She adjusted and seemed happy in the end.</p>
<p>My guess (emphasis on "guess") is that being a twin is a slightly unusual twist, and that if the school determines to accept one of the twins the other will get an extra look. But as with everything in college admissions, nothing is guaranteed.</p>
<p>At the duke admit weekend I met triplets who were all accepted to duke, emory, and a few other schools</p>
<p>My twin and I applied to one school in common. She was offered a full scholarship; I was offered half--with potential increase the next year if my grades were good. (She had harder classes, higher rank; test scores were about the same, I was NMF, she wasn't). I was uncertain about making the grades, and worried having to either pay more (expensive private school) or transfer if the scholarship didn't come through. So I chose a public school that offered me a smaller but certain four-year scholarship. I recognized at the time that I was making a "life changing decision" to leave my twin. </p>
<p>I think twins should be independent in the application/decision process, and it is probably best if they go to different schools. One twin often tends to be more "dominant" socially, and the other twin needs to get out of her(his) shadow. Twin relationships are special, but sometimes breaking that dependence on eachother is a good thing as they move into adulthood.</p>
<p>I think some schools have "twin scholarships" if that interests you. Skidmore might, I know a set of twins from my high school went there a few years back...</p>
<p>It worked for the Olsen twins!</p>
<p>
[quote]
I recognized at the time that I was making a "life changing decision" to leave my twin.
[/quote]
Atomom - was it a mutual decision btwn you and your twin? Presumably she could have gone to the state school with you. The real challenge seems like it would be if the twins were not in agreement on the issue.</p>
<p>I know a set of twins who were admitted to the same schools, but chose the school where they would be allowed to room together, over the school where roommates are assigned and they would have almost certainly been split up.</p>
<p>My identical twin sons will be heading off to college this fall--to two different schools. They applied to all the same schools, but not because of a burning desire to go together--they just liked the same places. Of the five they applied to, first son was accepted to all and ultimately chose to attend his EA school. Second son was deferred and ultimately rejected by same EA school, and accepted to other 4. Statistics were very similar, with son 1 having a very minimal edge in rank, SATs and GPA. Son 1 debated over chosen school because the FinAid package was not as enticing, while son 2 could not believe his brother might pass up the opportunity to attend the school he did not get in to. </p>
<p>Several people suggested we call and appeal son2s deferral, pleading the twin thing, but we have never wanted our sons to be included or rejected from anything based on what the other one got. Despite being twins, they are still individuals, and we always hoped they were judged on their own merits, not merely as a package deal. Sometimes this taught a painful lesson, especially since they are similar in talent, achievements, etc. But luckily things turned out fairly balanced over the last 18 years. There was a balanced share of achievements & disappointments. In this case, son 1 is going to dream school with the program he wants, and son 2 is going to his original #2 school that has now vaulted to #1 in his eyes with a great progam and fabulous FinAid package to boot!</p>
<p>We are very pleased with the schools both will be attending, and they are very excited to go be their own people for the first time. It will be an adjustment for all of us, as their departure leaves us with an empty nest. </p>
<p>If they had gone to the same school, they were adamant that they would NOT room together to have the opportunity to broaden their horizons. In the end of their decision making process, neither wanted to be at the same school as the other, but would have been okay with it. They appear to be ready for the "life changing" experience!</p>
<p>Thank you, Redsquared, for a beautiful and insightful post. It sounds as though my daughters are the female versions of your sons. Like you, we have never resorted to pleading the twin thing. No matter how similar they are, it is important that each be judged on her own merits, separate from the other.</p>
<p>Congratulations to you all for having successfully navigated the college admissions process, especially to son 2 for dealing with the situation so gracefully and for supporting his brother. I am delighted for both of them and am sure that they will find happiness and success as they step out into the world for the first time without the other, all the while maintaining the closest of bonds.</p>
<p>I too dread the empty nest that my girls will leave behind. How swiftly the years have flown. And how deafening the silence will be.</p>
<p>Do colleges usually like to have more twins in their colleges, like they want more minorities? I am a twin and I have always wanted to know this. Twins do add a cool twist to the pool of applicants.</p>
<p>texas137: My twin had not applied to the school I chose. She never tried to persuade me to come with her. . . Now that I think about it, she probably didn't want me coming to the same school!
I can't remember her ever visiting me during college, though I did visit her a couple times. . .</p>
<p>Two twins from my school applied ED to Duke conditionally. I think Duke's supplement had a question about having a twin... they said in application to accept both or reject both.</p>
<p>Two sets of identicals from our HS will be freshman at Cornell this fall. I don't know any details about their applications or stats, but all four were bright kids (NMFs).</p>
<p>I am also dreading the departure of my identical twin girls. Their senior year was one filled with paperwork, deadlines and much college related stress but lots of fun trips. One is off to San Diego and the other to NYC to Pratt Institute. They couldn't be going farther apart. They are both ok with the decision to be apart and are in fact, doing a lot of separate things this summer. They will both study art and I think they will get closer emotionally with a bit of distance. </p>
<p>Meanwhile, we will be home with our 11 yr old daughter and a very quiet house. I've gone back to school to fill the time and will enjoy some one-on-one with our youngest. She, in fact, is dreading all the attention!</p>
<p>My girls also are entertaining a West coast/East coast split, though ideally they say they would prefer to be at schools within a few hours of each other so that they could see each other every so often and meet each other's new friends, etc. Of course, everything depends on where they are admitted....</p>
<p>For the past 17 years, I have marveled at the extraordinary closeness that they, and other twins (especially identicals), share. It is such an interesting way to grow up, and such an interesting way to grow old.</p>
<p>Please keep me posted how they do next year!</p>
<p>My guys will not be too far apart--approximately 5-6 hours, with home about half way in between. One will be at Georgetown for Healthcare Management and the other at Lafayette for Chemical Engineering. Both are looking forward to visiting at the other school.</p>
<p>We did not find that schools treated twins as a 'minority' but did have comments, after admission, that their application essays stood out because of the similarity of their topics--the specialness of twinship, but still being individuals--and neither guy knew the others' choice of topic! Unfortunately we never got the 2 for the price of one offer we hoped for!!</p>
<p>I may be mistaken,but arent their lots of choices of schools to go to to major in film?Or are there geographic/financial constraints?
My best friends identical twin boys just graduated from college,half a country apart,both same major.In their case it wasnt a question of applying to the same schools..they both wanted to seperate and try flying solo after being known as "the twins" all their lives.How refreshing it must be to go off on your own and start making friends who know only you as a unique individual,not as one of two.
Both have thrived,the less socially dominant one especially.First time his social life hasnt revolved around being in his brother's orbit.Especially with girls,LOL.
They visited each others schools,made a cross country trip together and their special "twiness" bonds dont seem to have suffered from the 4 year experience.Yes,they're the type of twins who have a special language of their own,etc.
Both have now moved back home after graduation and Mom is nervous about that dominant role rearing its head again.</p>