<p>To my very pleasant surprise, I’ve been accepted at one of my top choice schools and just found out today. I’d thought my chances for getting in for my chosen field were slim, so that makes this seem even more like an answer to prayer. It’s definitely the grad school I want to go to, and I plan to sign the acceptance form soon. I have only one concern…
Recently, sometime AFTER applying to grad schools, I’ve had my name legally changed by court order. It might sound unwise to have done that at this time, but I had several personal reasons that made it seem worth it.<br>
I guess the only school I really need to inform about the name change is the one I’ll be going to. My question is, when do I do that? Should I still sign the acceptance form in my old name? (I don’t have all of my documents in my new name yet anyway. I’m a permanent resident alien and it will probably take a couple of months to get a new green card, for example. Until I have all my major documents in my new name, I’m still generally going by my old name anyway.)
How does this generally work? Will I just have to send in a copy of my court order? I hope my name change won’t be viewed too negatively. I know it’s common for women to change their names through marriage, but might doing so for other reasons be perceived differently? I could even provide an explanation, if that were to help. Does changing one’s name usually go over smoothly, or can it cause complications?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.</p>
<p>plot93,</p>
<p>I doubt it’ll be a big deal. Shoot off an e-mail to the school’s administration and ask what to do. They’ll probably be far more helpful than any of us ever could be.</p>
<p>I agree that it’s best to email administration, but it might be best to wait until a) you have all your documents in your new name and b) you’re physically present at the school to go around and sign things and get all the information changed.</p>
<p>It shouldn’t be a big deal at all – as you said, graduate women get married and change their names all the time. I don’t think anyone would think anything of a legal name change, and I don’t think you’ll have to explain why you changed your name.</p>
<p>I agree with molliebatmit, at many universities you can only change your name on student records if you are currently enrolled. Then you would just need to bring the court order and a picture ID showing your new legal name to the registrar’s office and fill out of form. </p>
<p>UTexas: (<a href=“http://www.utexas.edu/cee/dec/forms/changeofaddress.pdf[/url]”>http://www.utexas.edu/cee/dec/forms/changeofaddress.pdf</a>)</p>
<p>dude, i have the same situation - mine’s all just for one freaking letter - i’m already dreading the time i’ll have to call everywhere i’m officially registered to change my last name … credit cards, bank, schools, memberships …</p>
<p>When I started using my married name after undergrad, I would just carry an official copy of my marriage license everywhere. With the credit cards, some will let you change your last name to your married name over the phone. I didin’t do it all at once. After I got my new license and social security card, I did everything else when it was convenient.</p>