We’re in a very similar situation to @browniesundae with b/g twins just starting sophomore year, one on quarters and the other on semesters, one with a full ride and the other without. Completely agree with the challenges that the different schedules create, the biggest issue has been the cabin fever in September waiting for the fall quarter, after the other has gone off to college.
Our decision was to give them the same amount of 529 money and let them choose how to use it. D will have a lot left over for grad school (or a house downpayment, etc.). S not so much (although he chose to attend the cheapest school on his list, which just happens to be the highest ranked also, so he still has all the costs covered). But they knew the situation going in (when picking where to apply to) and they are both happy with that.
@mom2twingirls @PPuggle
Not to make you worry, but I know a couple folks that had overlapping college graduations for the same university!
I also thought of a couple other things I forgot to mention.
The summer before freshman year, one of my sons attended Summer Academy (month-long summer program with credits) and that allowed him to move into his dorm early. There was nothing similar at his brother’s school, but he was able to sign up for the latest orientation session of the summer and was able to move into his dorm early as well. It was so nice to move in without the crowds! Definitely check if that is an option.
I also have a suggestion for twins who are feeling anxious about separating. If you can swing it, try to schedule each twin a visit at the other twin’s school without Mom and Dad. Maybe a long weekend or during the time when one is in school and one is out of school. Having that time to meet their twin’s friends/roommates and see their environment firsthand may make them feel less separated.
My twins are graduating (HS) in 2023. They chose to attend different HS – one in an Engineering Program and one in IB. I can’t imagine they would be in the same college, but they will be competitive with one another wrt grades and test scores. This will all be very interesting!
My twins are sophomores in college. They applied to an overlapping list of colleges but ended up at different ones, which is just as well as they are very competitive. And I have already verified that they will not graduate on the same weekend.
Just an FYI, don’t let the price tag of top private colleges automatically scare you off. Colleges that meet need will take into consideration the multiple children in college and your overall financial situation, and they can end up being much more affordable than state schools (depends on the state, of course - I am in a state with expensive public universities).
I have twin DDs who graduated from college this past May. They went to two different colleges (although my third DD ended up at one of her sister’s colleges.) I think it was good for them. They’re as close as ever now and stayed in touch with FT over the years. I think you’re very smart to keep your thoughts and wishes about the outcome to yourself. We were lucky because drop off was two different days and graduations were a week apart. Good luck with the journey!
Hey! I have twin girls that are in the class of 2020. I’d love to connect and chat about the journey.
They are just now getting their applications together and trying to meet early action deadlines. Mine are order and chaos. Seriously. One wants to major in Chemical Engineering and the other film. For now they are applying to 5 - 6 schools each. Some overlap and some don’t. Trying to review essays is killing me!
They are torn (and me also ) about going to the same school or not. They love/hate each other like most siblings. However they are terrified of being separated.
I didn’t read all of the post in the thread. Just saw your headi
Glad to have found this thread. I’ve been on CC quite a bit recently. Probably should have started sooner as I’m learning a lot.
I have identical twin girls, HS class of 2020. They are more or less inseparable, but do have other friends. At this point they want to attend the same college but not room together. They are both STEM strong and will probably both pursue similar tracks of study. One is outgoing and confident and the other is introverted.
They will probably apply to my alma mater, which will be a massive reach because it’s a top 15 school (not Ivy). They are high achievers at a rigorous magnet school but not out of this world like some of these kids.
I think their only shot at my AM is ED. Our concern with ED is that only one might get in. That is of particular concern because it’s geographically distant for us and would be logistically challenging, and also very stressful for DW.
While their stats are, ahem, pretty much identical, one is 70 points higher than the other on SAT verbal. (But only 10 points on their most recent sitting.)
I hate this for the the low scorer because she actually outscores her sister on most school tests, in part because she works harder. (They have all As so that won’t show up on the transcript. Maybe in GC or teacher recs?)
We are taking a formal visit to my AM in a few weeks and I almost hope they decide they hate it so it becomes a moot point. I doubt that will happen.
I suspect we’ll be dealing with dual rejections – or deferrals, at best – in December and can focus on our state schools, which are actually really, really good. I could even see them splitting up if they stay “local,” and that might be the ideal outcome.
@TwinPop and @birdandchicks thanks for adding to the discussion. The college selection journey is so different with twins! The dynamics at play are heart-wrenching at times (when one works their tail off preparing for a standardized test and scores lower than the twin who only prepared a fraction of the time; also, when one twin desperately wants to stay with her sister while the other wants to blaze her own path at a separate school). Dealing with disparities in offers from schools is another bit of a difficult path. I’d love to continue to hear your feedback as you navigate the college search and selection process.
Anyone have twins that did study abroad? I have one who is going next year (the other has never been interested in at all). I’m not sure what the process is for other schools, but my kid was only allowed to list their top 3 choices and the acceptance was just for 1 program. Not sure that would work for twins who wanted to study abroad together.
So I don’t have twins BUT some people we know from our house at the shore - they are twins in their 60s and never married and they dress alike and do EVERYTHING together still. I find it a bit strange.
Thank you for starting this! I’m bumping and bookmarking this thread. I hope after all the twins of the class of 2020 graduate it will morph into a general twin/multiple parent thread. I’m sort of surprised there isn’t one already. I have identical twin boys starting high school in the fall–I know college is a long way off but I’m curious about how different the college admissions might be for them. .
I don’t know how I missed this thread originally! I have boy/girl twins graduating in May! They’re headed to different schools. My son is attending a private university close to home, and my daughter is going to an OOS public 12 hours away. They’re incredibly close, so I’m sure it will be an adjustment for both of them (and for me)–thank goodness for technology!
My twins boys are sophomores. As many above have cited, they applied to several overlapping schools. They were both NMF, but that didn’t really help the CS major. He was only accepted at two match/safety schools. He is enjoying his school. The other twin is a business/accounting major who was accepted to his brother’s first choice. That was rough.
They a buddies, but not inseparable. They have had what I call Venn Diagram friends, some common, some separate. So, I was not surprised that they were not phased by choosing different schools.
Honestly, Move-ins and move-outs have been a “party.” It feels like August is all move-in trips and May is all move-out trips. We rent storage at both oos schools over the summer. As with all twin things, costs are double.
With tuition - yes, you get the 1 EFC for two kids, so it helps. This is going to be a tough summer though, both are planning to be at internships most of the summer.
@iamgriffinsmom thanks for sharing. I may be in the same boat as you. Looks like one may star in state while the other will go 9 hours away. My twin girls are extremely close so it will be interesting to see how they adjust.
usma87, I love you venn diagram description of friends. That is true in my house also.
One of my girls got accepted in the favored school. The other one is waiting. I go back and forth about it. I hope she gets in b/c its a great school however, it’s also one of those school where everyone that gets in is top of their class. I’m not sure its the right fit for her.
For those of you who already have twins in college and they were your only (or youngest) how hard was it adjusting to empty next?
