Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are twin sisters who were popular child actresses, best known for playing Michelle Tanner on Full House in the late 80s and early 90s. When the twins turned 18, they both chose to focus on their fashion careers rather than attend college.
The Olsen twins grew up splitting their time between acting and building their Dualstar media company and associated merchandise brand. As they got older, they began expressing more interest in pursuing fashion design.
Following the end of Full House in 1995, the sisters continued acting in movies and TV shows like Two of a Kind while expanding their business ventures. Once they graduated high school in 2004, their acting slowed down.
Rather than apply to traditional four-year college programs, Mary-Kate and Ashley devoted their efforts full-time to their fashion careers. This included launching luxury labels The Row and Elizabeth and James.
Although college was not in the cards, the twins’ early success in business and entertainment empowered them to step seamlessly into fashion industry roles. Their design talents and entrepreneurial skills made college an optional rather than necessary path.