Mary Butner
Senior Casey Butner is not attending the same college as either of her sisters and is venturing off on her own.
When deciding on a college to attend, there are numerous factors that can play a role, and one significant influence can be whether your sibling attends that school. For some students at Benilde-St. Margaret’s, following in a sibling’s footsteps by attending the same college can make the transition to college easy. On the other hand, some students have no interest in going to the same school as their siblings because they may want to be independent of their siblings and want different experiences in college. Ultimately, every student has different preferences and different factors to consider when picking a college.
Students who choose to attend a college where their sibling is enrolled often find themselves drawn to the university for several reasons, with their sibling playing an integral role in the decision. Parents could also have influence and could want to have their children at the same institution, making it simple to only have to visit one school to see their kids. Having visited their sibling on campus, these students are more familiar with the campus and environment, which allows them to envision themselves there more easily. Also, the comfort of already knowing someone and having a built-in support system makes going to college with a sibling more appealing. The ability to deepen and bond with your sibling based on shared experiences you’ll have at college makes this option irresistible to some students. “I think getting to keep our relationships strong, even when we’re in college and getting to hang out throughout the school year, is why I choose to attend the same college as my sister,” senior Kate Cornell said.
Conversely, some students decide they don’t want to attend the same college as their sibling. The college may not be the right fit for the student, meaning it could not align with their academic or personal aspirations. Additionally, they may not want to have the same college experiences as their sibling. Another factor that could influence their decision could be complaints their sibling has about the college. “Some things he talks about that make it seem hard at that university, like picking classes and some features that aren’t necessarily appealing to me,” senior Midge Sanderson said.
Overall, whichever way you decide, it is a personal choice, and you should choose the college that best fits your needs. You should research all angles and visit any potential college options before making a final decision on your college.