Scott and Wes Sutter: Twins go their separate ways

High school: Chapel Hill High School

Headed to: University of Richmond (Wes) and UNC-Chapel Hill (Scott)

Twins Scott and Wes Sutter, 18, of Chapel Hill, are preparing to live apart for the first time in their lives, and they are excited about striking out on their own.

"He's been my roommate for 18 years and 9 months," Scott said.

Scott is happy to be staying in the town where he has lived most of his life. Wes said he wants "to be out in the world."

Wes wants to enter medicine or law, while Scott is leaning toward science or engineering.

Their parents will pay for their college tuitions, but both have applied for jobs at restaurants this summer. Wes, who will have a much larger tuition at Richmond, a private school, said he also plans to work during the school year.

Wes said he feels confident about leaving home after serving as student body president this year. The adviser was hands-off, he said, and he had to plan events without relying on an adult.

Scott, however, said he is the one who knows how to do laundry and cook; Wes does laundry only in "emergency situations."

"I'm more responsible than my brother," Scott said, only half joking.

Both said leaving high school now is harder than when their parents were younger.

"With the economy, things are much more competitive than back then," Wes said.