Opinions…. Do you request a name change?

[CatsDomino]

I'd leave it as is. The school may not change it. Some of them are weird about things like this. They may require you to show proof of your name change. That's always fun! When I got married 25 years ago I kept my last name and added my husband's last name. All of my degrees just have my last name printed on them. Why? Professionally I only use my last name. Legally I have both. If something were to ever happen such as divorce then I would just drop his last name and not have to state at it on my degrees forever. Many women today don't change their name. Some are hyphenated. I don't have a hyphen. I have 2 separate last names which confuses people but when they try to spell or pronounce my husband's last name they now understand why I kept my last name. I have an odd first name which no one can pronounce or spell. I need something someone can say! LOL

Those are some good points.  Yeah, they do want proof of the name change.  I guess I probably have a semi-unique situation.  My mom remarried when I was little and had her new husband adopt me.  they later divorced and i haven’t seen nor heard from my “father” since maybe 1996.  So I have literally zero attachment to the last name.  I would never go back to it for any reason.

Given that you really have no connection to the name, OP, I'd opt for the name change if I were in your situation.  It may mean a bit more work on your part showing proof of your name change, however, I can understand your feelings about the last name of a man you haven't seen or heard from in 25 years.