College Admission Tips for Twins, Triplets, and Other Multiple Siblings
Several weeks ago, the Crouch quadruplets from Danbury, Connecticut received a special early Christmas present: they had all applied to Yale University under the early admission plan. And to their shock and delight, all four of the talented siblings Ray, Kenny, Carol, and Martina had been accepted to the school.
The quadruplets haven’t yet decided on whether they will all attend Yale, and their decision will likely rely on how much financial aid the university will be able to allocate to the family. (As you can imagine, sending four kids at once to college can be a killer expense.) But the fact of their acceptance is a great story in itself and, for twins and other multiples, it provides a hopeful message for their own college dreams.
If you’re a multiple, you may have some concerns about whether you and your sibling(s) will be able to attend the same school, and how your family will be able to afford the cost. Here are a few tips to help you through the admissions process.
Ask yourself if you really want to attend the same school.
If you’re part of a set of multiples, you’ve probably been grouped together with your sibling(s) for your entire life, especially if you’re an identical twin. While you probably share a special bond, you’re also likely to find it difficult to create a separate identity for yourself. By attending different schools, you’ll finally be able to find your own group of friends and develop your own specialized interests. Then again, if you already feel comfortable with your own identities, you may be happy to stay together just don’t take it as a given that you should never leave your sibling’s side.
Be aware that admissions decisions may take your sibling into account and that’s not always a good thing.
In the case of the Crouch quadruplets, it’s evident that they are all great students, but it certainly helped their chances that they’re all siblings. Many schools admit that, when they see siblings with similar grades and test scores, they feel compelled to issue the same admissions decision to each one, as they’re conscious of family dynamics. So, if your academically equal twin sister gets into Harvard, you’re likely to get in as well. However, it can also go the other way: if one of you is obviously unqualified, the other may get wait-listed rather than accepted, when if the more qualified sibling had applied alone, you may have been admitted.
Apply for a twin or multiple scholarship.
Numerous colleges throughout the U.S. offer discounted admission when one or more of a set of multiples attend their school. Some of the scholarships are for a moderate amount, but others will cover the cost of one entire tuition, essentially giving you a two-for-one rate. Find out about twin, multiple, and sibling scholarships here. Of course, you are also eligible to apply for any other scholarship, so consider all potential financial aid sources when making your decision.
If you and your sibling do attend the same school, don’t room together.
College is a wonderful opportunity to branch out and meet new people. Even if you want to stay close to your sibling, you’ll stand a much better chance of making new friends if you decide to live in different dorms and room with people you’ve never met before. While you’ll provide one another with a wonderful support system, it’s important to keep yourselves open to the college experience, so make sure to spend time apart even if it’s only a building away.
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