So, you and your besties are eyeing the same college, huh? You’re probably wondering if that’s a good idea or if it’s going to cause a major friend meltdown. The good news? You’re not alone in worrying about this. Tons of students are in the same boat, and let’s break it down so you don’t have to freak out.
But Will It Ruin Our Friendship?
One of the big fears people have is that competing for the same college will mess up their friendships. A student shared, “It really depends on your relationship with your friends. If you’re all cool and chill about it, there’s no reason it should affect your friendship.”
Look, if you and your friends are mature about the process and don’t make it a competition, everything should be fine. You can apply to the same place, support each other, and still stay besties—whether you end up at the same college or not.
Reality Check: Colleges Aren’t Comparing You to Your Friends
A lot of people assume that colleges will look at them and their friends applying from the same school and think, “We can only pick one!” But that’s not really how it works. Another student pointed out, “Colleges don’t really care if people from the same high school apply. They’re just looking at individual applications.”
So, no need to stress about colleges viewing you as a “package deal” or only accepting one of you. Admissions officers are focusing on what you bring to the table, not who you hang out with.
The “What If They Get In and I Don’t?” Panic
Okay, let’s be real—this is probably one of the scariest parts. What if your friend gets in and you don’t? That would sting, right? But as one student shared, “If you can’t be happy for your friends’ success, maybe it’s time to rethink the friendship.”
Ouch, but also true. It’s important to keep in mind that everyone’s path is different. If your friend gets accepted and you don’t, it’s not the end of the world. There are so many amazing colleges out there, and who knows? You might end up somewhere that’s a better fit for you in the long run.
It’s Actually Kind of Cool to Have Friends Around
Let’s say you all do get in—how awesome would that be? You’d already have a solid crew at your new school. One international student shared, “If you and your friends are really close, it could be nice to have a support system when you start college.”
Having familiar faces around while navigating freshman year could make everything a lot easier, from figuring out where your classes are to not feeling super lonely in those first few weeks. But remember, you’ll also make tons of new friends, so don’t feel like you need to stick with your high school crew 24/7.
Do What’s Best for You
At the end of the day, you have to focus on you . Another student summed it up perfectly: “Don’t apply to a school just because your friends are. Make sure it’s a good fit for you personally.”
Even if your friends are all hyped about a particular college, if you don’t feel it’s right for you, don’t be afraid to go your own way. College is a time for finding yourself, and that sometimes means making decisions independently.
Applying to the same college as your friends doesn’t have to be a stressful, friendship-ending event. If you guys stay supportive of each other and remember that colleges look at you as individuals, not as a group, you’ll be fine. And hey, if you all end up at the same school? That’s just a bonus!
