<p>It’s a bit crazy, I know…
Before starting grad school, I had a legal name change. It helped me to make more of a break from a painful past. It was also nice in that I finally got a last name that Americans can pronounce (I’m a U.S. permanent resident). The thing is, I thought of it somewhat late, and because I wanted to get all my major documents, even a new green card (which can take months to get) in my new name before moving out of state for school, I made the decision about what name to use somewhat hurriedly.</p>
<p>I’ve just about finished my first year of a M.S. degree and have another year to go. I hope to be able to go on for a Ph.D. afterwards. The thing is, I’ve come to realize that the name I chose just isn’t right for me. It’s a nice name, but it doesn’t fit me, and I wish I’d had more time to choose a name I’d feel more comfortable with. I know that eventually I will try to change my name again, and in the meantime I’ve found a name that I do think is a fit for me.<br>
The question is, would it be wiser to change my name now while I’m in school, or would it be better for me to wait until I’m done with school? What would be likely to cause less complications?</p>
<p>It seems to me that this is a very personal decision. The only thing that comes to mind for me is that when your name begins to appear on publications, you may desire consistency. That would be an argument for changing your name now.</p>
<p>i’m sorry for hijacking the thread, but i heard this rumour that females aren’t allowed to change their last names after obtaining a Ph.D. (even for marriage purposes)… Is that true?</p>
<p>I’ve never heard that. Who said that, or where did you hear it?
If it were true, that would be disturbing.<br>
I do know of someone who got her PhD at 27 and married afterwards and took her husband’s last name (thus changing it from the one she had when she got her doctorate). The marriage didn’t last very long, and after it was over, she went back to using her maiden name.</p>
<p>It’s very possible that some people might not want to change their last names after getting a PhD for professional reasons, but I’m fairly sure that’s a choice, not a rule to go by.</p>
<p>The rules in the U.S. about name changes tend to be pretty liberal, I think.</p>
<p>I do have a related question.
Before moving here for grad school, I lived in a state where the rules for changing one’s name were very liberal, and as far as I know I’m still a resident of that state. If I were to change my name soon, I’d probably wait until Christmas break when going to visit friends who still live in that state.</p>
<p>I’m thinking of trying to do the PhD at a different school and in a different state from the one I’m in right now (assuming I can get in), and the field I’m in has an early application deadline (usually January 15th or so). By the time I’ll apply, even if I wait until the last minute to apply, I won’t have nearly all of my major documents in my new name yet. My test scores and pretty much everything else will be in the name I currently still have.
The question is, should I alert schools that, if I get in and decide to attend, I’ll arrive on campus with a totally different name than the one I applied with? I’d feel better if I don’t have to spring that on them. Should I include a note that I’m in the process of changing my name, or should I somehow try to include it in my statement of purpose? Could that hurt my chances of getting in?</p>
<p>Do not waste space in your statement of purpose on this topic.</p>
<p>If all of your application documents are in the same name, then wait until you are admitted (and accept the offer) to notify the University and the Director of Graduate Studies in your department. All you need do is send an email to your DGS, and to the Graduate School. </p>
<p>I once had a grad student who reverted to her maiden name after she was accepted, and arrived on campus with a new name. She simply emailed me (as DGS) and filled out paperwork at the Graduate School.</p>
<p>And no, a name change has absolutely no bearing whatsoever on chances of admission. (sigh)</p>