<p>If I have a nickname, should I put that under "preferred name" in college apps? I don't really "prefer" my nickname, but a lot of people call me by that name (including teachers). Some don't know that my nickname is not my real name, and my teachers might have sent in their recommendation letters with my nickname (they already sent in recs.)</p>
<p>No, I don't think so, but I guess it depends on your situation. For example, you wouldn't put that everyone calls you "Sam" instead of "Samantha" or "Josh" instead of "Joshua", however if you use your middle name instead of your first name, you would put that. Hope that helps?</p>
<p>Probably not, because all the letters they send you will be under that name instead. You ask your teachers whether they used your real name. And if they didn't, explain in the additional info section of your application.</p>
<p>If you don't go by the name there is no reason to put it down. "Robert" is your real name but you go by "Bob", a common example.</p>