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[deleted981256]

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[GreenDuck12]

I don’t think it will significantly impact you either way. Personally, I would wait simply because I anticipate information logistics in admissions offices to be hampered due to the pandemic (my schools admissions office is still working remotely). GL to you on your application cycle.

 

[Osteosaur]

Why risk the confusion or potential delays? Why spend time calling 25- admissions offices?

 

[Osteosaur]

Thank you! That's good to keep in mind.



I don't know if you've ever gone through the process of legally changing your name, but it is inconvenient and time-consuming no matter when you do it. By your logic, it would be better for me to never change my name at all. That's a fair point, but I am still going through with this because it is important to me for personal reasons. The reason I'd risk the confusion and delays and spend the time calling offices is because I think names matter, and I'd like to be called mine. As someone who has a first name that strangers have tried to shorten and otherwise alter my whole life, I place a high value on being called my actual name.

I also know that changing your name after matriculation can bring its own challenges. My housemate in grad school was transgender and transitioned while a student. He legally changed his name with the government, but getting the school to recognize the change and update all documents after he had matriculated under another name was hugely complicated. I am committed to changing my name, and I'd rather do it sooner than later, but I want to do it in a way that will minimize issues. It seems that after the admissions cycle and before matriculating anywhere, if I am fortunate enough to get accepted, might be the best timing to minimize confusion.

Its not a matter of convenience for you.

You are, at this moment, fighting to be at the front of the pack for interview invites and acceptances. This is a limited commodity. If there is a problem finding your records and documents, and you are delayed, then someone else may be getting invitations in those earlier brackets. Many schools using rolling admissions so timing is crucial. The year I applied all of Tulane's invites were exhausted by labor day.

There may be no problem at all. You are trying to eliminate risk during your application cycle and maximize time you can spend preparing for interviews and writing secondaries. Once you're in, who cares? You're going to be dealing with 25 offices all of whom are reading 5,000+ applications, with stunted communication because of staff working from home.