Twins abound at Regis College

WESTON — After 12 years attending school together — sharing bedrooms and clothes, varsity teams and teachers — Melissa and Megan O’Donnell, identical twins from Everett, had the chance to attend college apart.

"We thought about going our separate ways, but we decided against it," said Megan O'Donnell.

Instead, the O’Donnell sisters decided to attend Regis College together. Both are majoring in education; both are playing on the same field hockey team.

What is more, they are not alone.

This year’s freshman class at Regis College, a women’s Catholic liberal arts college in Weston, boasts three sets of twins — the O’Donnells, Sarah and Leah Boniface of Marlborough, and Tiffani and Kristen Lanctot of Somersworth, N.H.

"I believe this is the first time in the history of the school that there has been three sets of twins in one class," stated Amelia Aubourg of the Office of Communication and Cultural Affairs at Regis. "I think it's fascinating to have them here."

Each set of twins rooms together. They have the same major. Even their extracurricular activities are done in tandem.

Moreover, they all agree that living on campus with their twin is wonderful.

"It's easier to be a twin, I think," said Kristen Lanctot.

"Yes, we know that they're always there to help out or whatever," chimed in sister Tiffani.

"We chose to go to school together," Sarah Boniface declared. "We are not just twins, we're best friends."

"Yes, we are better together. We learn better together. We can't imagine life being apart from each other," echoed twin Leah.

In fact, the Boniface twins, who are majoring in business management, never considered separating for college. Instead, they enrolled in all the same classes.

"It's good to have the same classes," explained Sarah, "because, that way, if I don't understand something in class, Leah can teach it after, or the other way around."

Much like the Boniface sisters, Tiffani and Kristen Lanctot decided to take all their classes together.

"Since we're both nursing students, we probably would have had to take the same classes anyway. So, this way we share the same books and can study together," reasoned Tiffani.

All six young women admit that they are often mistaken for their sister. “But you get used to it,” said the Lanctot sisters in unison.

"You just answer to both," agreed the O'Donnells, also in unison.

"Some people can tell us apart," said Kristen. "Usually it's when people don't know you that they confuse you, but once they get to know you it's easier."

Despite the sisters’ obvious bond — exhibited by constantly finishing each other’s sentences or beginning to speak the same words at the same time, they all agree that they do not live their lives “dependent on each other,” as Melissa O’Donnell described it.

"It's not like you always are thinking, 'Oh, she looks just like me' or anything. It's more like someone's there with you always," agreed Tiffani.

"It's more like your best friend is always with you," said Sarah. "We don't know what it's like not to have a twin."

"But we do know we like being one," her sister Leah stated.