Name change issues

[shadowclaw]

Hi everyone. I first took the GRE two years ago, and while I did fairly well, my quantitative score was lower than I wanted it to be (and honestly it doesn't reflect my mathematical abilities). My score was in the 64th percentile, while my other scores are much, much higher. So I want to retake the test to boost my quantitative score and maybe see if I can get my verbal and writing score into the 90th percentile, which will hopefully make me more competitive for things like fellowships.

The only problem is that I got married this summer and have changed my name. So when I try to register for the test, the only option I have is to use my maiden name. I have contacted ETS, and they told me they cannot change my name on my account. That would be fine if there weren't such stringent id requirements, because it would be easy to bring my drivers license and my marriage license. However, I can't do that, so I have two potential options. First, I can create a new account and use my new name. However, I don't think I would have access to my old test scores, so if I wanted to send them as well, I would have to pay double the fee, since I can't just select "send all scores" when I go to send them. There is also the remote possibility that I won't even have an id with my married name, because I made a mistake of sorts when applying for my new license, and I had to resubmit the application (I put my full middle name on the app instead of my middle initial like my current license has, so I had to submit a notarized copy of my birth certificate). It took over a month for the DMV to tell me I made an error, so I don't really know how long it will take to get my new license.

Option 2 is to just register with my maiden name and use my passport for id at the test center, since I haven't changed that yet, or use my license if by chance I don't have the new one yet. I'm not sure if there are any risks associated with this option. I will have access to my old scores under the same name, and I'm sure there's a box somewhere on the grad school apps to put my maiden name. I'm not sure if grad schools will care if a recently taken exam will have a different name on it than my current transcripts (as my name has been updated at school).

Does anyone have any thoughts? I'm leaving towards option 2 since I know I will have proper id and it feels more logical to keep all of my scores associated with one account.

[guttata]

Just take it with the account associated with your maiden name and make a note in your application somewhere where it would make sense. As soon as you're accepted and have chosen a school you will never need to deal with ETS again anyway, so why make such a big deal about it?

[TakeruK]

In Canada, being married means you are allowed to legally use both your maiden name and your married name (although most authorities prefer you be consistent). I think this is the same in the US too?

 

So, I would just continue using my maiden name with ETS. If you have ID with your maiden name, use that at the test center. If you only have ID with your married name, then use your new ID and your marriage certificate, as you said above. 

 

As for risks with this option, while yes, the grad school application will allow you to list aliases and maiden names, it might create some inconvenience with their automated system. For example, at UC Santa Cruz, my transcript displayed my middle name differently than my application (extra hyphen) so the computer was unable to automatically match up my transcript, so the online portal kept saying "Transcripts not received". When I called to check on this, they said the people processing the application figured out the right file to match the transcripts, but the online system is stuck that way since the names are mismatched. This didn't affect my application at all--just an inconvenience.

 

Of course, if you go with Option 1, there is the same risk if you use your older test scores! So it's not really a pro/con, but something to watch out for. 

[Taeyers]

I would specifically ask ETS if it would be fine for you to use your old passport after you have already changed your name with the social security office. It might not be a big deal, but I'd hate to find out after the fact if it actually is. Legally speaking, I think your name is officially changed once the SS office processes it, even if you don't have new forms of ID yet, so I can see how that might put you into a gray area if you try to use a passport as valid ID when it doesn't have your current legal name on it. 

 

My personal anecdote is that I was a permanent resident rather than a citizen at the time of my test, and they wouldn't let me in with just my driver's license. I literally had to leave and drive back home to find my green card, and they would only let me into the exam room when I showed them both my driver's license and my green card. Point of the story being that you certainly shouldn't expect them to be accommodating. 

[GreenePony]

In Canada, being married means you are allowed to legally use both your maiden name and your married name (although most authorities prefer you be consistent). I think this is the same in the US too?

In the US you are supposed to only use the name (on official, legal documents) that the Social Security Administration has you listed as - however, you are alright using aliases for professional work as long as bank statements and contracts reflect your legal name.

 

I would go with Option 2. I took the GRE before I got married but applied after my name changed. I simply notified the administrations office or department secretary that my scores were under my maiden name and to be sure to match the SSN. All the departments were able to access my scores without any problem.

[shadowclaw]

Thanks for all the input! I registered in my maiden name.