Twin Torero Experience: Allyson and Kaitlin Meyer

Twin Torero Experience: Allyson and Kaitlin Meyer

Meyer Twins

The transition to college is an exciting time in any young adult’s life. However, with that excitement comes apprehension. The unfamiliar places, subjects, and people that a new student might meet appear daunting. However, for some Toreros, that journey was made with a familiar face — their twin. In the summer of 2012, 10 sets of twins committed to the University of San Diego — nine stayed at USD past their first year. Over the course of the 2015-16 academic year, USD News Center has featured some of these twins’ stories, highlighting their shared experiences and learning more about who they are as individuals, giving them a chance to look back on the journey and contemplate what’s next. This is the final story in the series.

Allyson and Kaitlin Meyer are more than twins, they’re best friends. Growing up in Rancho Bernardo, Calif., the Meyer sisters did everything together. From attending the same college and sharing the same friends to laughing at the same jokes, Allyson and Kaitlin are deeply connected. But as both sisters are quick to point out, their closeness doesn’t mean that they’re the same person.

In fact, both young women are delightfully unique. Allyson explains with a laugh, “I actually forget that we’re twins. I just feel like I have a sister who is my same age that I feel very close [with]. We are different and I think it makes us stronger. We are close but we also bring different things to our relationship.”

Their academic path is one such difference. Even though they both attend the University of San Diego, which they refer to as the “best decision they ever made,” Allyson and Kaitlin have different specialties and unique academic interests.

Allyson, a Communication Studies major and Sociology minor, explains, “We’ve chosen very different major and minor paths. Our experiences have been very shared but we’ve also been able to learn more than we would have because of the other person.”

Kaitlin, a Political Science major and double minor in Peace and Justice Studies and Spanish, explains that the experience of attending the same college wasn’t something they planned to do, but it’s an experience she would never change.

“It’s been amazing. Having the ability to talk about college with someone who you’re so close with and who is always experiencing the same stage is really nice.”

Just because they study different subjects doesn’t mean they don’t see each other on campus. Every morning they share the same commute from North County, cheer one another on during presentations and are often spotted walking across campus side by side.

As their four years at USD come to a close, Allyson and Kaitlin face an uncertain but exciting future.

Kaitlin is eagerly waiting to hear back from fellowships that will enable her to continue her work with underprivileged communities, specifically those who live across the border. After that, it looks like a gap year (or two) is in her future before she returns to school for a graduate school.

Allyson, who served as an intern for USD's Media Communications team the past three semesters, has a similar plan, but with a few noticeable alterations. “I’m currently applying for communications jobs, but I’m looking forward to eventually get a graduate degree as well. I would love to stay in San Diego and continue to give back to the community.”

The future may be uncertain, but there is one thing Kaitlin knows for sure. “I’ll always have her and she will always have me. We might go our separate ways, but we will never be separate.”

— Taylor Milam

Editor's note: Regardless of what the future holds for the Meyer twins, we know it will be bright. Congratulations, Allyson and Kaitlin. We’re so proud of you both! — The USD Media Communications Team

Read other stories in the Torero Twins Experience series from the 2015-16 USD school year: Melissa and Michelle StencilKatelyn and Michelle McSkaneAaron and Jared McCarthyMalina and Maya Hood; and Ashton and Kalin Padberg