<p>I am from Ethiopia and the name system is quite different from the Western System. For example my last name is the name of my grandpa. My father's last name is the name of his grandpa. I think in western system the last name of my father and mine must be /is the same.
When filling out the common app what am I supposed to do? Any help</p>
<p>Thx.</p>
<p>Do you have a passport? If yes you should write your name from passport.
If you have a identity card/driving licence, in the civilized countries in these identity cards also write in English your names.</p>
<p>@bebetxx
Hi, the problem isn’t in inserting my name but my father’s. Although passports may help (for my taking my dad’s name), he doesn’t have one.</p>
<p>Any suggestions</p>
<p>In these official identity cards it writes in English Family name(also the caption)</p>
<p>On the form, fill it in so that it comes closest to matching your name as it will appear on your school records.</p>
<p>Then, later on in the Common Application, there’s line that says: “Additional Information Please attach a separate sheet if you wish to provide details of circumstances or qualifications not reflected in the application.”</p>
<p>So, attach a separate sheet to explain briefly that the system of naming is different in Ethiopia, and you’re worried that your name may be reported differently in different places. Then list any likely variations of your name that you can think of.</p>
<p>They won’t be too worried about the format of your parents’ names, though. They’re going to be much more interested in you.</p>
<p>Thank you. Now my problem is solved. I have one other question. Is there a problem if my teacher, although I don’t know what he fills, selects “one of the top few I’ve encountered” for all? A silly question really, but I was just wondering.</p>
<p>…bump…</p>
<p>No problem, as long as you really are one of the top few he’s encountered.</p>
<p>As for the name, nothing says your last name must match your parents’ names. There are plenty of kids in the US who have different last names than one or both of their parents, because the parents never married, or for many other reasons. Use your legal name, and your father’s legal name. They won’t consider it particularly unusual. At least in your country the family name is your last name. In many asian countries, the family name is first.</p>
<p>Thanks Ctscoutmom!</p>