Common Application for universities

[BearGuy]

If any of you guys filled out the Common App, you'd notice that it says to enter your name as it appears on your birth certificate, as well as the gender that's on your BC. I ignored that; I put male (as it appears on my ID) and my LEGAL male name. It's not going to make sense if I put my old female name and female gender; it just won't.

I was wondering whether they actually make you upload a copy of your birth certificate or a passport? I can get a passport with EVERYTHING changed just the way it should be, but that might take a few months and the app is due Jan 1 (for most universities). I know some schools will request a copy later, but how does it work with the Common App? I'm not done with it yet so I'm not sure...

Thanks!

[DriftingCrow]

 When i did it years ago, they didn't ask for a copy of my BC. I think using your legal name is fine.

[Lauren5]

Nope, no birth certificate required. None of the 5 schools I applied to via the common app needed it. Nor did they accept me, but that's a different story. What they mean by name on your birth certificate, at elast what I thought, is they would want Nicholas instead of Nick, or something like that.

[BearGuy]

Thanks for the replies
The state I was born in requires full surgery in order to change your birth certificate; even changing your name on it is difficult :/

[Lauren5]

The state I was born in requires full surgery in order to change your birth certificate; even changing your name on it is difficult :/

Unfortunately most states are like that.
Good luck to you.

[Jack_M]

I would just go with legal name.  Maybe they do ask for your birth certificate but in the event that you do you can just argue it's your legal name for everything and seemed senseless to put an old name down.  I think Willow is right with more the idea that you have your full name as in first, middle and last name rather than any shortened names you go by.  So it's your full name VS preferred name.  That's how I'd choose to interpret it at least.

[Mogu]

I've sent my application in already, I was never requested to provide documentation for my name, age, or gender. Keep in mind that I have my birth name and gender down on the application, but I don't think you'll run into any problems with the situation you describe. When the app says name on BC, I assume that is to say "Your legal name", so someone doesn't put down a nick name or something.

The only issue I might foresee is if any documents sent by your highschool/recommenders/whatever conflict with your stated name and gender.

[BearGuy]

One more question guys:
My girlfriend suggested that my essay be about my transition and my life as a transgender individual. Would this in any way harm my chances of getting into schools (I'm not applying to any Christian colleges lol)? They can't be biased towards that can they?

[aleon515]

Just leave it blank. Most of the time nobody pays any attention to leaving things blank. Back in the day (years and years ago), they would ask re: mental health history. I felt they shouldn't ask me about this (esp since I had one) so I left it blank. No one asked me to fill in the info.

Computer applications are more tricky since they require you to fill in all spaces. I have never lied, just left stuff blank.

--Jay

[Simon]

The only thing you might run into an issue with is if you're taking out loans. I put male on my FAFSA and it was flagged. They wanted proof I had registered for the selective service. I had not so on my FAFSA I am put down as female but for anything else to do with school I am registered as male. You can contact the selective service and get a letter stating you are exempt but it takes a few months to receive it and I didn't have time.