Name Change and Applications?

[BeachBlondie]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hello, fine people of SDN!

Exciting year thus far: my man is nearly finished with his first year of medical school and has done fabulously, I registered to take the July 25th MCAT, and I got married!

Here's my question to you all:

I haven't changed my name yet, and I'm curious about what the best course of action would be here. When I registered for the test-from-hell I was still unbetrothed; naturally, it's under my maiden name. I obviously wouldn't change my identification until AFTER The test (seeing as how the ID and name must match on test day), but would there potentially be a problem with my applications if the MCAT, most of my letters of recommendation, and transcripts are under one name, while my submission itself is under my new name?

I'd like for my paperwork through medical school to reflect the new surname, for consistency's sake. But, if anyone here thinks that it might be better to just wait as to avoid confusion with my applications, let me know. Or hell, maybe some of you even have experience in this endeavor.

ah-thankyou

 

[pdxhopeful]

I hope someone with more experience on the legalities will chime in for you. Forgive me if you've considered this already, but be aware that changing your name, even if it's not a logistical issue, will likely be taken as an indicator of your marital status. Consciously or not, there can be a bias against married women as often there's a corollary assumption that they have or soon will have children and not be able to devote themselves to the process as fully as someone without those responsibilities.

 

[BeachBlondie]

Despite the fact that many couples get married in medical school, anyway?

I'd love to hear your source for this, only because I've never heard of this bias.

 

[pdxhopeful]

Yup, though it'd be the residency application process possibly affected by a marriage during med school.

I don't have sources showing the bias to hand, but it definitely happens. It is not legal to ask if you're married or have or plan to have kids, but there are reports of shady interviewers admitting to things like prominently displaying a picture of a kid, or adult of the opposite sex and kids, hoping applicants will then reveal the info on their own assuming them to be sympathetic.

 

[LiveLoveLearn]

I was married in the middle of the application cycle and am waiting to change my name. It just seems like an added hassle to an already overly-complex process. Regarding the bias, I have actually heard the opposite about medical schools - that they tend to prefer married individuals, as it shows maturity, commitment, reliability, etc. I was pretty open about being married, and I was accepted, for what that is worth. I have heard of that bias in interviewing for residencies, for sure, though.

 

[BeachBlondie]

Interesting. So, it seems like the residency thing is a given (which, now that I recall, I have heard that as well), but there are differing views on medical school itself.

Any others care to weigh in?

 

[DrMidlife]

There's a place on every application for former name and current name. Adding a note of explanation is helpful, and sharing that you got married is going to make everybody in admissions smile.

Every med school interviewer is aware that the vast majority of US med students are of prime family-starting age. They will not make a decision on you that is based on presumed fertility. Half of US med students are women of child-bearing age. End of discussion.

There isn't an anti-young-fertile-newlywed bias. The bias is anti-young-fertile-delusional-newlywed. What hurts you is if you come across as never having considered the impact of your family choices on your school or your career or on your classmates who may have to cover your work while you're taking care of your family. As with many things, an air of entitlement is the graveyard of champions. I would be willing to believe that this expectation of having considered family is greater with female premeds than with male premeds, but you can only change the world so much so fast.

I vote for having your new name in play right away. Your classmates are also assets, and getting them on board with your new name has advantages. Change everything before school starts.

Best of luck to you.

 

[BeachBlondie]

Dammit, Dr. MidLife.... You're always so right.

I've been on these forums for, what seems like, ages. And, you've helped me dozens of times. So, as always, thank you for your insight.

Because my husband is a current medical student, I am waiting one more year to apply (matriculating, hopefully, in 2015) to facilitate his ability to come with me when I leave for school. So, perhaps I will take the MCAT with my current ID, then jump into the miles of paperwork necessary to change my passport, driver's license, credit cards, off-shore banking accounts, passwords on vaults containing rare gemstones....ad nauseum 😉

*respectful bow*