For first time,Yale univ says yes to quadruplets

But that was only the beginning. Moments later,Rays brother,Kenny,also 18,went to the Yale site and got an identical message. He was followed by their sister Carol. Same news. Then the room fell silent. Ray,Kenny and Carol are quadruplets,and their sister Martina had applied to Yale,too.

I was thinking,its going to be really awkward when I dont get in, Martina recalled on Friday. But the computer turned blue for her as well,which prompted such an outpouring of joy from their mother that she wrestled their father,Steven,to the floor in a hug.

The Crouches perfect batting average represents a first for Yale the first time in anyones memory that it has offered admission to quadruplets. It is also,of course,no small milestone for the siblings. But whether any one of them,let alone all four,winds up at Yale remains an open question. Under Yales early-admission programme,accepted applicants can apply to other colleges and need not make up their minds until May 1.

For one thing,money is still an issue. With a father who works for the state of Connecticut as a case manager in the Department of Mental Health,and a stay-at-home mother who is a student,the quadruplets say their decision will be heavily influenced by financial aid.

Jeffrey Brenzel,dean of admission at Yale,said: Their applications were terrific,and we simply hope that they will all decide to come!