college essays about having a twin

"Being a Twin" - College Application Personal Essay

cmg 2 / 14   Oct 14, 2010   #2 Very good. You've gotten the environment part down and part of the shaping down, but you are actually just describing the "WE." Now you need to work on describing what exactly the environment did to make you who you are today. Other than that, this is a spectacular essay. There are no obvious grammar or spelling mistakes to distract the reader from the meaning of the essay itself.

OP djlundi11 1 / 7   Oct 14, 2010   #3 Well the other prompt is: Tell us something that you have not already told us in this application that will help us better understand your potential for success as a college student at the University of South Carolina. I wasn't sure which this would fall under

cmg 2 / 14   Oct 14, 2010   #4 In that case, go ahead with your plan. Excellent job.

vturbyfill 1 / 4   Oct 14, 2010   #5 I wasn't sure what you meant by 'pivotal existence' - specifically, the use of the word pivotal. I thought your whole essay was excellent! Very interesting to read, and particularly insightful into the world of being a twin (sorry - all us non-twins will be eternally curious about that!). Your last sentence ... Although I could not be happier being a twin and would never wish otherwise, I hope my college experience will be a chance for people to know the ME, not the WE. is great in concept as a closing sentence, but struck me as just a little weak in the way it flowed. Maybe replace 'although' with 'while' (works well with the word would, i think) and perhaps choose a stronger word than 'hope' ... "I can't wait for my college experience to be a chance for people to know the ME, not (just) the WE." Good luck!!

OP djlundi11 1 / 7   Oct 14, 2010   #6 Like fundamental. I'll change it to that. Thanks!

OP djlundi11 1 / 7   Oct 15, 2010   #7 I'm also wondering if I should add a little about how expectations limit my ability to express myself

OP djlundi11 1 / 7   Oct 16, 2010   #8 The second people learn I am an identical twin, the second everything previously being discussed is forgotten. School...sports...weather...you name it-gone. When my brother and I are actually together, there is no casual discussion. A total stranger will come up to you like you've known one another for years. A simple glance is all it takes to spark an interest, and so begins the flow of questions. ... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ Let me know what you think! Responses would be greatly appreciated! :-)

Editor1010 9 / 31   Oct 16, 2010   #9 It is an overall good essay however, I dont see the point of it honestly. You can talk about a lot of stuff and then in the end its like BOOM last sentence. You should interwine that last sentence through out your whole essay. The second people learn I am an identical twin, the second everything previously being discussed is forgotten. School...sports...weather...you name it-gone. When my brother and I are actually together, there is no casual discussion. A total stranger will come up to you like you've known one another for years. A simple glance is all it takes to spark an interest, and so begins the flow of questions. This whole paragraph is so confusing what are you trying to say ? reword it I look forward to my college experience as a chance for people to know the ME, and not (just) the WE. Its poor writing to use caps as you did. I understand you are trying to emphasize it but you haev to do that another way ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------

EF_Kevin 8 / 13053   Oct 16, 2010   #10 This is really interesting to read! I wanted to ask you... what is it like being a twin? Just kidding. The second people learn I am an identical twin, the second everything previously being discussed is forgotten. Add the verb "is" to this sentence. and so begins the flow of questions. hahaah well written... I like it. A total stranger will come up to you--- do not switch from saying "I" to saying "you." It is better to avoid saying "you." Oh... cool ending. So... what is the main idea of this essay? It is strange that you choose to write about it if it is something that you are sick of talking about. Anyway, how about "how it shaped you as a person" who is going into a particular profession? Write a little about your outlook on the future. Are you and your brother both serious about your chosen fields? If so, you are developing new identities and soon will be completely different from one another. You are what you do.

EF_Kevin 8 / 13053   Oct 19, 2010   #11 they lead into redirect discussion to the matter at the first available opportunity, as would be expected. --- just an idea No matter what we could previously be have been talking about, be it school...sports...weather, it is suddenly dropped in favor of this new one topic. the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list-- hahaha, very funny... ...so interested in Zach and me collectively, not me as an individual. --- this is very well explained. I think this can be better if you complete it by discussing what makes you different from him -- especially if you can write about your intended major, career, etc... the stuff your college education is all about.

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Twins and the College Application Essay

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College admissions ask applicants to share their unique qualities and interests, but how do you do that when you’re a twin? 

GoQuakers , who is currently studying at the University of Pennsylvania, shares how she approached the college application essay as a twin:

Starting the Common App personal statement essay has a way of channeling everyone’s biggest insecurity throughout the college process: “What if the most unique thing about me is just not unique enough?” Admittedly, I was no exception to this paradigm. In fact, I ended up choosing to write about my experience as an identical twin. My twin sister, by the way, was applying to nearly the same exact list of schools as me. You can probably understand my dilemma.

Being an identical twin was the immediate subject I considered writing about for the Common App prompt “ Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story .” However, I almost shook this thought from my head straightaway, simply because I assumed that it was the “obvious” thing to write about. I felt colleges would see this as something that was built into my life rather than a project I decided to dedicate my soul to or a place that I have found personal contentment in, a subject that solely was about my interests and personality. I was so caught up in sounding exotic and diverse that during my initial consideration of the prompt, I didn’t think it was enough to write about how being a twin has actually made me a more distinct person. To be honest (and warning: extremely sentimental), being an identical twin has truly been the greatest blessing in my life. This role has not only taught me how to be a member of a team, but ironically also how to differentiate myself as an individual that can stand on her own and follow her own destiny. Not a lot of people realize this paradox. As an identical twin, it is often vital to mentally distinguish your fascinations and quirks from those of your sibling as you embrace the qualities that you and your twin share in order to fulfill a greater sense of self.

When I tried to generate more ideas for the prompt, I realized that I didn’t have quite as much to say regarding other accomplishments and experiences. When I finally ran through ideas with a counselor, he noticed this, too, and told me that I was crazy to insist on not going with my gut instinct. Of course, I listened.

Coming from this process, I have two words of advice: be genuine . It’s called a personal statement for a reason. Even if you have an idea that is great in theory, you have to have a lot to say about it, because that it ultimately what conveys passion to admissions officers. That’s right: admissions will see right through your essay if all it consists of is lofty concepts and baroque diction rather than a true bond between the subject and the writer. You could have gone on an amazing service trip during which you saved tens of children from starvation in Sub-Saharan Africa, but if you really don’t connect with that experience on the deepest level possible, that is not necessarily what you should be writing about.

On a general note, I urge applicants to think long and hard about finding a topic that is completely distinct and sincere in regard to what has shaped them and to make sure that they run through their ideas with a counselor, family, friends, or all of the above. That’s what I did, and hey, I’m going to my dream school this coming fall, so something here must have gone right.

Want to read the final version of the essay that got her accepted to UPenn ? You can  unlock her profile  and read her full application. For more inspiration, make sure to search through profiles of students accepted to see  essays, stats, and advice . See how they got in, and how you can too!

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Being a Twin

"What’s it like being a twin?" This is a question I’ve been asked countless times; I don’t blame people for their curiosity. It is an incomparable experience. Few people have the opportunity to experience such a close bond with another individual. From the day of conception, we’ve literally been side by side or metaphorically, attached at the hip. Such a close relationship resulted in our mutual dependence. Growing up, we were always, “the twins”, sometimes even referred to as “Carlana.” We were thought of, and began to think of ourselves, as a whole. Throughout the first sixteen years of our lives, we literally spent just about every moment together. At home, we shared a room and even in school my mother always made sure we were in all of the same classes. Then, when summer came along, we went away for eight weeks to a sleep away camp where we also spent every moment together. As twins, we shared basically everything. From our clothes, to our friends, and even dinner out; everything that was mine was hers and vice versa. This (lack of division OR level of concurrence...WHICH IS BETTER??) between the two of us hindered our personal and individual development. This past summer, I got a job at a local ice cream stand. Instead of spending my summer at camp, I was home working while Carly went off to camp without me. It seemed like a good idea to get a break from each other, but it was a scary concept. In all my years I had always been with her; she was someone to back me up or keep me company when I needed it. In the months leading up to our separation I thought I had accepted it. Then the morning came when she was leaving. Usually she, our best friend and I boarded the bus together saying goodbye to our parents. This year Carly and our best friend got on the bus together saying goodbye to me. This was the moment when it really hit me; I was going to be apart from the most prominent person in my life. I was losing my other half. Although at first intimidating, I embraced my circumstances. I was able to do things I wouldn’t have done with her like form some new relationships. I formed closer connections with all of my friends on an individual level. The experience gave me the opportunity to develop as a being, replete with my own idiosyncrasy, rather than half of a whole. While maintaining our connection, we each discovered a new found independence and with that, a confidence. This confidence will allow me to thrive in any environment, with or without my sister- including an exciting adventure such as attending college.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Twins — Exploring the Unique Bond: Being a Twin

Exploring The Unique Bond: Being a Twin

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Published: Sep 1, 2023

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Essay Samples on Twins

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