Two ways to go here. Yes, detach from all of the friends and let them know why. Do not put a rift between you and them. And since you know they are going to tell her, think about what you want to say to them. Nothing sappy of weak. Something like "Friend, you know you've always been there for me and I appreciate that. I'm taking a break from the social scene to try some new things for me. This situation is an opportunity to me. I'm going to take and it and own it and make it great for me."
If you decide these are your friends too, make it clear to her "These are OUR friends. I don't want them to have to chose between us and I don't want them to feel awkward. We need to be adults about this and make sure our friends don't want to avoid us during this time as they feel bad and forced to chose." And let her figure out what that means and how to achieve that goal.
