College Times Two, or Three

There are five sets of multiples out of 82 graduating seniors at The Emery/Weiner School. Pictured from left are (back row) Lee Friedman, Zach Kornhauser, Alex Friedman, Brandon Levinson; (third row) Jonathan Podet, David Kaplan, Max Kaplan, Brett Levinson; (second row) Janine Podet, Nicole Kornhauser; and (front) Jane Kaplan. (Photo: www.hartphoto.com)

During the college-application process, the dining room table is likely to change from an eating surface to one holding piles of paperwork.

Keeping track of deadlines and letters of recommendation, among other things, requires an unnatural amount of organizational skill.

Now, times that by two (or three) and imagine shopping for colleges with twins or triplets.

Some parents at The Emery/Weiner School know all too well the efforts involved in getting multiples to college. This graduating class of 82 students boasts four sets of twins and one set of triplets.

Joy Kaplan, mother of triplets Jane, Max and David (as well as two older singletons, Sarah and Hannah), describes the college-application experience: “The triplets applied to a total of 20 schools, took the SAT and ACT combined nine times. The largest school they applied to was The University of Texas, and the smallest was Rollins with 1,800 undergrads.”

Their dad, Joe Kaplan, was in charge of deadlines and college visits while Mom reviewed essays and applications.

Joy and Joe encouraged the triplets to be individuals and pursue their own goals, and the kids listened.

“We’ve been separate individuals for a long time, but, most importantly, we just enjoy different things,” says David, captain of the track team and one of four football captains (along with brother Max). David is heading to The University of Texas business honors program.

Jane, cross country-team captain, leaned more toward smaller private schools but ultimately took her parent’s advice to do a gap year. She’s chosen to go to Tanzania and South Africa with Interim Programs.

“We offered all our kids the gap-year option,” Joy says. “Actually, we consider Max’s choice of going to Austin Community College for a year before heading to The University of Texas like a gap-year experience as he learns to manage being a college student before entering a big school.”

Identical twins Brett and Brandon Levinson, both heading to UT at Austin, have maintained similar grades throughout school. Both also played football, basketball and baseball.

The boys say they push each other to work harder and strive for their goals. Some question their decision to room together in college. “They just don’t get it. We are best friends,” says Brett.

Fraternal twins Lee and Alex Friedman will both enter The University of Texas as well in the fall, but the boys, who attended different elementary and middle schools before high school, have decided to live in separate dorms.

Lee says, “Ultimately, you have to do what is best for yourself. It was still in the back of my mind that Alex was going to UT, but you have to ignore that as much as possible. It has to be about yourself when you are deciding what college to attend.”

For twins who’ve decided to go to different schools, the decision is bittersweet. Zach Kornhauser, at press time, was still deciding between Ball State University, Belmont University and the University of Oregon with plans to major in music. Twin Nicole will be attending The University of Arizona.

Growing up as a twin, says Zach, “I feel like there is always someone who has your back, so to speak. Especially at school, we can help each other with homework and other assorted assignments. Going off to college is going to be a huge transition.”

Nicole adds, “Although it will be weird without Zach with me, I think it will be good for us. We have never really had time where we weren’t together, so I think we will appreciate each other more.”

Twins Jonathan and Janine Podet applied to schools based on individual goals. Remarkably, both decided on Tulane University.

“We made two completely separate decisions. It just happened to be the right place for us ...,” says Jonathan. “It is kind of weird knowing Janine is going there because when you think of going off to college, you think of being away from your family, but at the same time it is comforting to know she’ll be there because she understands me so well, and if I ever need her, she’ll be right there for me.”

This August, if you’re a parent or a new college student complaining you can’t find another available inch in your car or luggage to pack dorm furniture, clothing and supplies, think of these families with multiples – and let yourself smile.