Experiences and strategies as to how to navigate the ED I/II process with twins that fit the same admissions profile would be appreciated.
Identical Twin D17’s are both interested in the same basket of LAC’s; there are a few exceptions as one is going to be a student athlete, but otherwise their LAC schools are basically the same - Bates, Bowdoin, Hamilton, Oberlin, Swarthmore, Williams. The student athlete D is also talking to Haverford, and other D is also interested in Middlebury, Wesleyan and maybe Carleton, as well as some smaller universities such as Brown and Cornell. They will also each have a reasonable number of safety schools.
They have the exact same test scores - both ACT 34 (single sitting), both SAT 2’s in the 750-800 range, essentially the same PSAT 1440/1460 with 219 SI (National Merit something), and they have essentially the same Junior Year Transcript GPA - 3.8 UW/4.14 & 4.24 W with 2 and 5 AP’s respectively to date and both will have 6+ AP’s through Senior Year.
They are very close with mostly the same friends and while they haven’t made the call as to whether they want to or need to go to the same schools, they have many overlaps so it could happen.
That said they are different kids as one is interested in studying everything from biology to history and is a student athlete actively going through the pre-read process at all of the schools on her list, and the other would rather stay involved through club sports and is interested in neuroscience and comp sci.
Appreciate feedback on prior experiences or admissions insights.
No experience with twins, though went through LAC recruiting with singleton. As most of those LACs will expect a recruit to apply ED 1, that decision will be fast-tracked as compared to non-recruit twin. Could lift – or at least change – some of the pressures, because one twin will likely be basically “done” by mid-fall, and that frees up space for other twin to focus on her priorities and goals – if it turns out to be same school as recruited twin, great.
My friend’s identical twin daughters with very similar stats to yours applied to almost all the same schools (but not ED). They were accepted/rejected at almost all the same schools. They decided to make their decisions independently of one another and both chose Middlebury. They’re very happy there. They decided to study abroad together in Italy this year and had a blast. I’d say, let them work it out on their own. If they both want to try for ED at the same school, they should contact the admissions office there and inquire directly how this will affect their chances. I had an unusual situation with my daughter and found most admissions offices to be very frank and helpful. Good luck!
I attended Middlebury with two identical twins in the year behind me. It was a very positive experience for both of them. They both return for reunion and homecoming.
Bates, which currently lacks a CS major, would not appear to be a match for both of these students.
The Keno brothers (known by many from Antiques Roadshow) chose from within your list, but separated to Hamilton and Williams.
July 2016 Update: SAT 2’s: DD1 - SAT 2 Math 2 800; DD2 - SAT 2 USH 800. ACT: 35 superscore for both.
Question is whether DD2 has a shot at Brown ED1 to study neuroscience and comp sci with a 35 ACT; SAT’s - Bio E 750, Math 2 800, PSAT 219 SI, UW GPA 3.8/Weighted 4.1, 6 AP’s, EC’s include 4 Years Varsity and very competitive Club VB as well as middle school VB coaching (wants to play D1 Club),and Steven’s Institute Summer Internship/Siemens Competition in 2015, along with ESL tutoring, and assorted school EC’s including STEM club officer. Other ED1 choices include Dartmouth and Williams, with ED2 choices including Hamilton and Wesleyan.
Is D1 or D2 the recruit?
Either would have a shot at Brown, but if it’s the athlete and she’s not recruited there then it’s a little bit more risky to give up the ED shot at a LAC where she’s being recruited.
Both my twin Ds got into Brown RD last year. Their stats were not as good as your Ds. 
They did have great ECs and compelling essays. We gave our 2 one veto for the other. We were not as concerned about them hurting each other in admissions as we were in the scholarship portion. Mine did not apply ED anywhere. One was REA to Stanford and the other applied EA to a few schools. Both Ds also were accepted to Stanford. Ultimately, they are headed to state schools on very competitive scholarships that include summer travel all 4 years. Feel free to message me if I can be of any more help and the very best of luck to your girls.
DD2’s AP’s include AP Calc AB, AP Bio, AP Physics, AP Comp Sci
@usualhopeful, DD1 is a D3 recruit and is going through pre-reads/early reads at Bates, Bowdoin, Hamilton, Haverford, Oberlin, Swarthmore and Williams, and has been offered overnights so still has a way to go on ED1, but right now Bowdoin and Williams are on top.
If DD1 gets a positive pre-read at either Bowdoin or Williams, is it realistic for both DD’s to be accepted ED1 given similar stats understanding that ED acceptance pools are so small at each?
it is entirely possible. But know what will matter in admissions besides stats and rigor. That includes how they actually write their apps.
Both DD’s superscored a 35 ACT on the September 2016 test so now the ED selection process gets more difficult. XC/Track DD has Amherst, Bowdoin, Swarthmore and Williams at top of list and is doing OV at Bowdoun and Swarthmore over next two weeks; her twin DD, who’s focused on Neuroscience, has Brown, Middlebury and Williams on top of her list - know Brown neuroscience program is top flight and she’s meeting with someone from the department over next couple of weeks, any thoughts on Middlebury or Williams?
Can’t speak to middlebury or williams but my oldest son graduated from brown last year as a neuroscience concentrator. It’s one of the leading depts in the country for an undergrad. He chose it over uchicago (where he’d have to major in biology and then could begin neuro classes as a junior), WUSTL, and penn, the other schools he was accepted to. Columbia also has an amazing neuro dept., which is where he’s working now in a lab while he applies to grad school. As a slightly easier school for admission (14%), I’d have her take a look at tufts. Also, JHU has a top undergrad neuro dept.
Meant to add that the LACs aren’t as known for their neuro programs. I think the best one is at Wesleyan, where my son was also accepted. They have the highest levels of NIH funding of all LACs, so plenty of opportunities for lab positions. Also, they offer a 5th year for free to pursue a master’s degree.
These girls sound like fabulous students but I feel sad that they (or the dad) felt like they needed to retake the ACT in September after the dad reported that they had 35s in July. Unless they both get accepted ED, this process is a marathon, not a sprint, and I hope they are able to have an enjoyable senior year.
@CheddarcheeseMN, correction from July in that both still had single-sitting 34’s; they now have superscore 35’s and feel like they are in a better place going into ED. Yes, everything related to getting in best position is behind them so now it’s just picking ED1 and ED2 and enjoying their senior years; both are Fall sport varsity athletes so that is appropriately a big part of their lives right now.