Changing my first name prior to enrollment

<p>When I was doing my undergraduate course in Australia there was a mistake in my name format. I am Vietnamese and my full vietnamese name is "Ha Hong Minh" which means the first name is Minh and last name is Ha. Due to lack of understanding about English name format, i was using "Hong Minh Ha" as my full name in Australia which means the first name is Hong Minh and last name is still Ha. When I applied to UCSD for grad study I used the above name as it appears on my Australian transcripts and diploma. My question is should I ask UCSD to change my name to the right format? Would the difference between the names in the undergraduate and graduate diplomas be much of a problem? I start to think about this because in the F1 visa obtained today my first name is Minh and it doesn't match with the I-20 form. I'll ask the school and the US embassy in my country for suggestions as well but in the meantime any input from CC members would be very appreciated!</p>

<p>Yes, ask your school to correct your name, and do it now before you arrive on campus. You should also ask for a new I-20 with the correct name. (They can easily print an updated one, no big deal.)</p>

<p>There was a misunderstanding about my name when I was applying to colleges. I kept running into problems because the name on my passport and visa did not match the name on my school records. I got it fixed a few months into my first year, but it would have been a lot easier if I had done it before I arrived on campus when only few offices had a file for me. I still occasionally run across the wrong spelling of my name in offices that I forgot to contact (most recently the student health center).</p>

<p>Thanks so much for quick responding. That’s what I think I should do too but then again I’m concerned that the name difference between the two diplomas in the future would make me crash and burn. Please advise</p>

<p>I don’t think the disparity will ever make you crash and burn, because it’s just a matter of order of names, and not even a misspelling. You will have to pay attention to it and occasionally explain it, though.</p>

<p>I don’t know about Vietnam, but it would not be a problem in the US. There aren’t many situations in which someone would check diplomas or transcripts from both your undergraduate and graduate institution.</p>

<p>Thanks guys! I emailed the school official regarding the case. Hopefully it’ll work out okay</p>