On my Common App I used my real name and typed in my preferred name. But on my high school transcript, instead of my real name, I have my preferred name as the sole name. * Note that the preferred name and legal name are just my first and last names switched in order. Will this cause trouble? Or is it fine because the Naviance and Common app accounts are tied together? I really need an answer to this so thank you in advance.
I also have my SAT profile set on my preferred name but it has my right Social Security Number. Will colleges still know those scores are mine when I send it to them or should I ask CollegeBoard to change the account name?
You could face processing issues with colleges to which you apply and I do not know whether having your Naviance and Common App tied together makes any difference… Colleges do not necessarily do anything to highlight your preferred name from the common app. Thus, the college’s computer may rely on the real name for the application. If transcript, test scores, and rec letters do not use your real name, they might not get matched to your application file when they arrive. If Social Security Numbers match, they may still match them, but you will need to follow things closely to assure the college does the matching. One of the more general rules that everyone should follow is that the key identifying information such as name and SSN match on everything that is submitted to assure timely completion of your application file with the college.
The SSN and DOB are key; the name issue is probably a non-issue. Many applicants have hyphenated names, patronymic names, and other issues which cause problems with databases. Colleges figure it out.