Name Change and the Match

[error404]

Short story, hard question. Got married, changed name, am matching, need advice.

I can't find anything which suggests that matching under my maiden name is wrong, but I wanted to get some feedback.

I've changed over my name with all important cards & documents. The only time I use my maiden name at this point is with programs. I feel like if I change my name, programs sitting down to generate their rank lists will think, "I don't even *remember* this chick!" I am going from a very distinctive last name to a very generic one, and even if I notify the programs of my change, I'm sure that at least one of them will momentarily forget at a crucial moment.


So, what I'm looking for is anyone with similar experiences or knowledge. I also accept stories of Match confusion, name change confusion, or name -change/Match confusion. And Visa. What I'm not looking for is an attack of how taking a new name is a betrayal of professionalism, women's rights or my heritage. If your name rhymed with what my name rhymed with, you'd change it too.

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[NotAProgDirector]

From a program standpoint, it's no problem at all.

Sounds like you've decided to switch your name. If so, make sure you tell your matched program IMMEDIATELY after the match. We start all the paperwork right away, and you want it all to match up. You can of course change your name any time you want, but it's much easier to do it before your start at a new institution.

 

[tree of life]

I am in a similar situation - recently married, in the process of changing my name. Long story short, the name on record with NRMP/ERAS is my old one.

I'm assuming I need to sign my residency contract with my legal name, so I'm going to change it as close to the match as possible so I have the necessary documents in my married name when I need to complete paperwork.

No one has had any better ideas for me, so I hope this helps you!

 

[error404]

that it can take weeks to get your name changed-- first with SSA and then the DMV. So I'd start changing it as soon as you're done flying...

I made the mistake of buying interview airline tickets with my maiden name... and changing your name for flights is the TSA equivalent of walking through the airport with a "See if you can find my bomb!" sign.

 

[Samoa]

You could match as Donald Duck if you wanted--as long as all the documents submitted to ERAS and NRMP have that name as well.

The only thing that matters is that the NRMP listing has you under the same name that the programs have on your file.

Anything else creates a systematic hole that requires a human being to notice and correct. Which is a setup for system failure (i.e. you not matching).

After the match, your school can your program that your name has been officially changed on your records. They may have to notify other organizations as well, but they know who they have to tell and will handle it for you.

 

[BlondeDocteur]

I'm quite interested in this as well since I'll be changing my name in May. I've taken Steps 1, CK and CS in my current (maiden) name but will be applying for the Match and having my MD granted under my married name. I was told for licensing purposes the names on your diploma and all three steps need to be the same... and was curious if, when PDs download my Step scores, review my undergraduate and graduate transcripts, etc and see the maiden/married name dichotomy, there would be a problem?

 

[Xandie]

When you take one of the steps under one name, then sign up to take the steps again, you have to provide a "proof of name change/proof of ID" form, just like you did when you first registered for the steps. Then they automatically change it backwards. I took Step 1 under one name and Step 2 CS/CK under another--my programs had no problem figuring out my scores. I also had a publication under my other name--no one even asked me about it.

Hope this helps!

 

[stargirl50]

My name change was finalized in September of this year, right before I submitted my application. I changed my name with USMLE around the same time because I took CK at the end of September. I had no problems at all. You do have to change your name with USMLE a little while before you take an exam with them (ie, change finalized 2 weeks or so before an exam date) but other than that the whole process was unbelievably painless!

 

[Samoa]

As long as ERAS and NRMP show the same name for you, regardless of whether it's your maiden or married name, you should be fine.

 

[error404]

Oddly enough, I found changing my name for USMLE quite easy compared with say, airlines. They have a procedure already tightly in place.

~error404 is tired of her name being misspelled on interview day badges and being asked, "no, where are you *really* from?"

 

[ahaider]

My name change was finalized in September of this year, right before I submitted my application. I changed my name with USMLE around the same time because I took CK at the end of September. I had no problems at all. You do have to change your name with USMLE a little while before you take an exam with them (ie, change finalized 2 weeks or so before an exam date) but other than that the whole process was unbelievably painless!

Hello, i want to change my name to my married name. I want to know what would be the best time to do it. After my step 1? Or after I've given all steps?
If I change it after step 1, would it affect my other exams? Since my medical school diploma and transcript would have my old name!

 

[gutonc]

Hello, i want to change my name to my married name. I want to know what would be the best time to do it. After my step 1? Or after I've given all steps?
If I change it after step 1, would it affect my other exams? Since my medical school diploma and transcript would have my old name!

The best time is never.

If you really need to do it for whatever reason though, the easiest way to do it is to just start going by your married name but keep your current last name as your legal name. You can probably get your residency institution to issue your ID and white coat embroidery with your married name on it and just introduce yourself as Dr. Marriedname (since you're most likely a woman, all of your patients will call you nurse anyway).

If you're still in med school (which seems to be the case), just do it now. You can get your school to change your name and then go forward with all your exams, diplomas, etc under the new name.

 

[Frederica]

The best time is never.

If you really need to do it for whatever reason though, the easiest way to do it is to just start going by your married name but keep your current last name as your legal name. You can probably get your residency institution to issue your ID and white coat embroidery with your married name on it and just introduce yourself as Dr. Marriedname (since you're most likely a woman, all of your patients will call you nurse anyway).

If you're still in med school (which seems to be the case), just do it now. You can get your school to change your name and then go forward with all your exams, diplomas, etc under the new name.

At our institution, the name on your ID is the name on your social security card. So you may need to make choice to either go by your married name or don't.

If you choose to go by your married name after the match, that is not an issue. As aProgDirector noted, as long as your name is the same in ERAS and NRMP.

 

[Raryn]

The "best" time is probably never, but otherwise just do it as early as possible. The more documents you have in your "old" name, the more hassles it will be.