Last name on apps: does it have to be full legal name?

[glasann]

Hello - I have a random question.

I have a very long hyphenated last name so, ever since freshman year in college, have just gone by one half of it. Blame scantrons with limited character spaces. Let's just say (for the purposes of anonymity) that it's Jane Doe-Robinson, I've just gone by Jane Robinson - professionally, how my friends know me, how my college professors probably know me, etc. But, again, technically my legal name is the full thing.

Anyway, here's my question: Is it ok to just put Jane Robinson on my law school applications and LSAC account or do I have to use my full legal name? I'm getting married before or early in law school and am going to be changing my name again (short name this time, hurray) but that's a whole different issue.

Thank you very much

[Jeremy Press]

Hi glasann,

Because bar examiners look at your law school application (to see if your statements to them and to law schools were consistent), it would be best to make everything in the law school application match what you would use if you were applying to the bar right now. Now I know in the future your name will be different for the bar, but it's best just to cross all your T's and dot all your I's (and don't give the bar examiners any room for any possible objections or confusion). Be safe and use your full legal name on your applications.

Hope this helps!

Jeremy

[glasann]

Fantastic, thank you for clarifying. Makes sense.