. Forum

[drake]

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[Knock]

My family is about to apply for U.S. Citizenship (currently green card permanent residents), and I was wondering if this might have a negative effect on the admissions process in terms of paperwork. Most of my family members will adopt an Americanized name (myself included), and I was wondering if all this might cause some confusion for the law schools reading through my application and financial forms. I'm guessing I will get a new SSN as well.

Would it be better to put the citizenship applications on hold until I am done with my cycle? I personally want to hold it off, but the rest of my family really wants to get this done immediately. I don't know how long this whole citizenship process takes, but I heard 3-4 months which would be right in the middle of my cycle. I am not sure if many people on TLS had to go through this process... still, any thoughts?

I am just wondering if having a legal name/SSN change right in the middle of an admissions cycle will cause any potential disasters or headaches in terms of paperwork and stuff.

Worst case scenario being something like law school accepts me but I show up with a new name John Doe and they go who the hell is John Doe? Thanks guys.

This seems like a fairly tough question, perhaps you should call an admissions office and ask. I have no clue personally. Good luck though.

[Tuyarp]

You're not getting a new SSN when you're a naturalized citizen. You just have to notify the SSA of the name change. Basically, you'll notify a lot of places with the name change (credit score bureaus, the DMV, undergraduate institution, etc). The law schools that you'll be applying to should be notified as well. It shouldn't create a big mess, though.

Also, it depends on where you live. In certain areas the naturalization process takes 2 to 2 1/2 months, in other areas it is longer.

[sophie316]

Changes of names are a hassle but no more so than someone who gets married and changes their name.

[drake]

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[Tuyarp]

Yes, I realize that the process of name changing isn't much of a big deal in itself, but what I am concerned with is whether having such a change (name/citizenship status etc.) in the middle of an admissions cycle will have any adverse effects or create paperwork disaster.

My current name on LSAC (that I registered the LSAT with) will change into an Americanized name, and I am not sure if I have to notify them before or after this change occurs. I am also worried about having to delay sending my applications out to schools in the case that I have to notify and wait until my new name is processed at all these institutions (undergraduate institution, DMV, LSAC, SSA, etc.).

You notify them after the change occurs. You'll receive a court document as proof of your name change at the naturalization ceremony.