A set of triplets in San Diego are about to graduate from the same college ? with the exact same major.

Sisters Maile, Ke'ale and Makana Young will be graduating summa cum laude from San Diego State University. They will each receive a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Marketing and Communications and also all minored in Interdisciplinary Studies.

In an email to PEOPLE, the siblings shared that attending school together helped ignite a healthy, yet supportive, competition among them, which ultimately helped them achieve their goals.

"Growing up as triplets, there was always a healthy level of competition. Being in the same classes and on similar paths made it almost impossible not to compare ourselves to one another," they shared in a joint statement.

"But over time, that comparison evolved into motivation. One of the greatest advantages we've had is always having a built-in study buddy: someone to challenge us, hold us accountable, and encourage us to be our best selves, both in and out of the classroom," they added.

"When one of us took on a new opportunity or reached a milestone, it sparked something in the others: 'If she can do it, why not me?' In that way, our individual successes have always been shared victories, reminders that we?re stronger because we?ve grown together!"

The siblings also noted that while they took similar paths in college, they also made the conscious decision to study abroad in separate countries in order to experience life independently from each other.

?Studying abroad was more than just an academic or cultural experience for us. It was the first time in our life that we [were] truly on our own,? they shared with PEOPLE.

?Growing up, we?ve experienced everything together. We?ve gone to the same schools, played all the same sports, had all the same friends, and have never truly lived apart ? For the first time, we had experiences that were just our own. We had built friendships, memories, and an entire chapter of [...] life that existed outside of each other. Being abroad forced us to make decisions independently and navigate challenges without each other.?

In a recent interview with NBC 7 San Diego, the siblings shared that they feel equipped to take on the next chapter in life ? whether it be together or separately.

?If life takes us separate places ? which it might ? I?ll be more than okay with that," Ke'ale told the outlet. "If life continues to keep us together, I will be more than okay with that, too."

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All three siblings were hired as paid social media specialists in their hometown of Oakland, Calif., so they all will be moving back to Oakland after graduation, per NBC 7 San Diego.

For now, however, the triplets are just trying to relish their most recent accomplishment.

?The fact that we finally get to walk across the stage together is incredibly meaningful,? Makana told the outlet.

The siblings have also shown their appreciation for San Diego State, posting messages of thanks on their social media accounts. (PEOPLE, but headline rejigged)

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