Can't picture what it would be like to go to school with your sibling? Now imagine you not only went to the same university, but also shared the same major. Or pledged the same sorority. Or played on the basketball team together. For National Siblings Day (April 10), the NYU News team caught up with eight NYU student-sibling pairs (and one soon-to-be trio!) for a glimpse of collegiate life as a family affair. Got your own story to share? Email nyustories@nyu.edu.
Akiva Rockland (CAS '21), Avigail Rockland (CAS '22), and Talya Rockland (Liberal Studies '23)
From left: Talya Rockland, Akiva Rockland, and Avigail Rockland
Akiva (center) and Avigail (right) are current NYU students. Their younger sister Talya (left) will join them this fall as a member of #NYU2023!
Majoring in: neural science (Avigail) and computer science (Akiva)—Talya hasn't decided yet
Favorite way to catch up: hitting the local comedy clubs
Marisa Bianco (CAS '20) and Tori Bianco (CAS '21)
Tori Bianco (left) and Marisa Bianco
These two sisters share two majors—both are pursuing international relations and Spanish—and often study together on Bobst's fifth floor.
Favorite way to catch up: attending events for their sorority (ZTA), or grabbing coffee on campus
Tori says: "I never expected to go to the same college as my sister, but it's been great because Marisa has been able to mentor and guide me through life at NYU. She is my biggest fan whether I’m on the soccer field or in the classroom."
Kaitlyn Read (CAS '17, SPS '19) and Mikaela Read (CAS '20)
Kaitlyn Read (left) and Mikaela Read
Caroline Pluta (Meyers '19) and Cameron Pluta (Steinhardt '21)
Caroline Pluta (left) and Cameron Pluta
These sisters are following in the footsteps of their two older siblings, Matt Pluta (CAS '13) and Adrienne Pluta (Tisch '15), and sister-in-law, Brianna Damadian (GSAS '13)—all NYU grads!
Majoring in: nursing (Caroline) and media, culture, and communication (Cameron)
Favorite way to catch up: exercise classes—cycling or high intensity interval training are favorites—or volunteer work for the Soi Dog Foundation
Eduardo Rihan (CAS '21) and Nicole Rihan (CAS '22)
Nicole Rihan (left) and Eduardo Rihan
Majoring in: economics (Nicole) and mathematics (Eduardo)
Favorite way to catch up: grabbing a quick lunch between classes
Lily Crandall (Steinhardt '20) and AJ Crandall (CAS '22)
Lily Crandall (left) and AJ Crandall
Majoring in: media, culture, and communications (Lily) and psychology (AJ)
Favorite place to catch up on campus: Peet's Coffee at Kimmel
Amy Ortega (Liberal Studies '19) and Leah Ortega (Steinhardt '20)
Leah Ortega (left) and Amy Ortega
Majoring in: global liberal studies (Amy) and global public health food studies (Leah)
Favorite way to catch up: exploring new NYC restaurants
Grace Park (Tandon '19) and Sally Park (NYU Shanghai '23)
Sally Park (left) and Grace Park
Grace is a current engineering student. Sally's a newly admitted member of the NYU Shanghai Class of 2023.
Majoring in: mechanical engineering (Grace) and business (Sally)
Sally says: "When I visited Grace in New York we loved Grace Street Cafe!"
Abraham Serouya (Dentistry '22) and Jacob Serouya (Liberal Studies '23)
Abraham Serouya (left) and Jacob Serouya
Abe, on the left in this (throwback!) photo, will soon be joined by his younger brother Jacob, a newly accepted member of the class of 2023.
Favorite place to catch up: Washington Square Park