Applying to university

[Master chief]

Hello 🙂 first of all, I'm a 19 year old trans guy from Ireland. I've known I was trans my entire life but because of school I had to wait until I finished to start living as I want to. This time last year I applied to university, but then later decided that I need more time to focus on being myself and took a year out. So, last summer I went to my doctor and just 2 months ago I was approved and placed on the waiting list for a local gender therapist. I have not heard anything since then. I have to apply to university soon but honestly I keep putting it off because I have to apply with my current legal name and sex. Also, the thought of going to uni pre-t is scaring me. I just want to be seen as a guy without people judging me or whatever. I guess I'm just looking for some advice here on what I should do. I emailed the university application centre and they said that if I get my name changed this year, I can change the name on the application. Im wondering approximately how long it will take before I get an appointment with the gender therapist? And after this, how soon you can change your name/start t? Also, is it a bad decision to take another year out? Thank you to anyone who helps me out here.

[Devlyn]

Hey Chief, welcome to Susan's Place! I'm in Boston. We have a section on documentation changes, but there isn't a lot on Ireland. https://www.susans.org/wiki/Category:Documentation_changes 

Hopefully this gets you started, and if you come up with any additional information I'm sure the Wiki Staff would be happy to add it. 

Hugs, Devlyn

[Deborah]

In my opinion taking another year off is a bad idea.  Every year out just makes it easier to decide not to go back altogether.

Beyond the trans stuff you still have a future life to live and getting through university sets the direction for that.

The question then is if you start this year what can you do presentation wise and will that be bearable for you while waiting for the gender therapist.


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[stephaniec]

School is the most important thing. Universities have a lot of students and I doubt many would notice a gradual transition or would really be too concerned about your transition. School is a time to experiment and enjoy and learn. You can always get help with school psychologists towards transitioning.

[FTMax]

I'd encourage you to go ahead and go this year. You can always start university socially transitioned, and then correct the paper trail after the fact. Just tell professors in advance that your preferred name is what you go by. You may be able to work with them to be documented as male on paper, but I'm not sure what rules they have in place.

As an adult, you can change your name whenever you want. I'm not familiar with the process in Ireland. Do you use the deed poll like the UK? You don't need a reason to change your name, just the desire to do so and whatever it costs. I'm not sure how long the process takes there. Here, it took me about 2 weeks to get mine back in the mail.

Your best bet to find out about your wait time would be to call the therapist's office directly and ask what the current wait is. You could also ask on average how many visits it takes to get a referral for testosterone. I imagine it varies there just like it does here. Some people leave from their first or second visit with a referral, some people go for months before they're ready.