Identical Twins – with Matching 4.0 GPAs – Graduate College as Co-Valedictorians: 'It Meant So Much'

A little friendly competition between Chloe and Olivia Chiota helped drive them to success, both in high school and at Hamilton College

Identical twin sisters from Massachusetts just graduated from the same college as co-valedictorians.

Chloe and Olivia Chiota graduated from Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y., on Saturday, May 19 with perfect 4.0 GPAs, according to the school.

“It meant so much that we could stand up there together after spending thousands of hours studying together and rooting for each other,” Olivia tells PEOPLE. “It meant a lot to see all the hours pay off. Definitely a surreal moment.”

Related: Twin Sisters Were Adopted by Different Families as Toddlers — Now They're Both Graduating as Valedictorians!

Chloe adds, “It was also so great to be there at the ceremony with everyone who helped us throughout the process: our professors, roommates, teammates, family, and our best friends. We felt a lot of gratitude all around.”

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Related: Twin Brothers, First in Their Family to Go to College, Named High School Valedictorian and Salutatorian

In addition to playing lacrosse together at Hamilton College, Chloe and Olivia served as president and vice president, respectively, of the Pre-Health Club, according to the school.

They also both majored in biology, although they had different minors, with Chloe getting hers in Sociology while Olivia studied women’s and gender studies.

Before college, Chloe and Olivia were at the top of their class in high school, as well. They told Hamilton College that they both ranked in the top 10, and were just two places apart.

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This is just the second time in Hamilton College’s history that two valedictorians have been named, according to WKTV — and when Chloe, who got the call first, found out, she had no idea that Oliva was the other person who earned the honor.

“I asked if it was her,” Chloe told the outlet. “And they wouldn't tell me, so I just went over to her phone and was watching it and was hoping that she would get a call, and she did, so it was really exciting.”

Related: Mother and Son Graduate College Together After Competing for Higher GPAs: 'Now I Owe Him $500!'

As for the future, the twins tell PEOPLE they're taking a gap year — but they're both planning on applying to dental school.

Chloe says, "For the rest of the year, we’re looking to work in a dental office to gain clinical experience potentially as dental assistants close to home in [Massachusetts]."

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