Last Name Change During 2016 Application Cycle - Advice?

[kellbells514]

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I'm applying to MD/PhD programs in June 2016, but I'm also getting married 2 weeks beforehand.

When I submit my MD/PhD application I'll be in the process of changing my last name. It can take several weeks for all legal documents and academic records to be changed.

Any advice on how to handle this? Do I need to individually inform each school that I apply to?

Thanks!

Note: It would make things much easier to keep my maiden name permanently, however I'm very eager to change my last name. My father and I have a strained relationship. When I earn my MD/PhD, I want it to be in a name that I'm proud of and that I feel better represents me as a person.

 

[deleted685788]

Hi, maybe you could consider keeping your name as is until you receive acceptances, and then you will only have to inform the schools at which you are accepted? Or perhaps even just the one you plan on attending? In the end it's your decision but it could potentially reduce some headache 🙂

 

[neurotroph]

AMCAS allows you to list any other name(s) you've been legally known as, so schools will know that you're the same person. I legally changed my name (also because of a strained relationship lol) and haven't had any issues, even with some of my rec letters being written in my old name. So submit with your husband's last name as both your legal and preferred name and with your maiden name as an alternate name.