Twins Preparing For College

January 19, 2012

As a senior at The Out-of-Door Academy, one can easily describe the last year of high school as being both exciting and stressful. Feverish anticipation consumes the entire graduating class as we look forward to becoming independent young adults. Before one can experience a sense of elation and excitement, however, seniors must first apply and be admitted to college.

Applying to college can be a daunting and overwhelming experience under any circumstance. The process is especially difficult for me because I am an identical twin. My sister, Christina, and I are very similar in many aspects beyond our appearance including similar GPAs, SAT scores, interests and majors, and even hobbies. We are also hoping to attend the same school.

Mr. Joseph Runge, ODA’s head of college counseling, expressed that there are some admissions difficulties such as when writing recommendations. Twins and multiples are often very similar, and it can be difficult for teachers to separate them as individuals. When writing our recommendations, Ms. Nicole Fafalios, our Latin teacher, pretended as if we were not sisters in order to illustrate that we are both separate individuals, with distinct personalities and work habits.

Before this year I had never fully contemplated what the process might be like as a twin, and was forced to not only be concerned about myself, but my sister’s progress in the process as well. Filling out applications, keeping up my GPA, receiving high test scores, and remaining organized is a daunting task as an individual.

We are both very private. All my life we have been asked questions- sometimes as much as three times a day- such as “are you twins?” and ” what is it like?” I have learned to respond with a polite smile, or casual nod of the head.

A common misconception about twins or multiples is they are mirror images of one another. The stereotypical idea of twins is they dress, act, and look the same. From the moment they are born, to the moment they die, they try to create their own personal identity, which can be a lifelong struggle for some. Being seen as an individual is a difficult challenge for me because my sister and I are similar in many ways, and are always together. Sometimes, our uniqueness is often forgotten.

From birth twins have a unique relationship, which cannot be replicated with any friend, or even another sibling. Being a twin means I will never be alone. There will always be someone who shares my thoughts, ideas, and even feelings. Having someone who always understands you, and provides a constant, helping hand, is a unique experience. While preparing to go to college, the necessity of becoming more independent is greater than ever. Because my sister and I plan to attend the same school, our chance to become more independent is hindered. In order to experience more on our own, we both hope to room with others in a dorm though many twins, those who attend the same school, choose to room together.

The fear of only one of us getting in to our chosen school was, and still is, omnipresent. As we wait for our acceptance letters, or rejection letters, the stress of us both making it in to the same school is immense. Even though Joe Runge says that during his twenty-three years at O.D.A, he has never met any twins or triplets who split up when going to college, we can’t help but anxiously wait to discover whether or not we have both been successful in making it into the same college.