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California has taken a historic step in its ongoing effort to make college admissions more equitable by becoming the fifth state to ban legacy admissions. Signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 30, 2024, the legislation prohibits both public and private universities in the state from considering an applicant’s family ties to alumni or donors during the admissions process. The law, which goes into effect on September 1, 2025, will have a significant impact on elite institutions such as Stanford University and the University of Southern California (USC), both of which have long been associated with legacy admissions practices.
This move is a continuation of California’s broader push for fairness and transparency in higher education, particularly in the wake of the national Varsity Blues scandal, which exposed corruption in college admissions processes. But what exactly does this new law entail, and how might it reshape the landscape of higher education in the state and beyond?
What Are Legacy Admissions?
Legacy admissions refer to the practice of giving preferential treatment to applicants who are related to alumni of a given institution. This means that students with parents, grandparents, or other close relatives who graduated from a university may receive special consideration during the admissions process. While this practice is common at many prestigious institutions across the United States, it has come under increasing scrutiny for perpetuating inequality and reinforcing privilege.
For years, legacy admissions have been criticized for disproportionately benefiting wealthy, well-connected families while making it more difficult for first-generation and underrepresented students to gain entry to top-tier schools. The new California law seeks to level the playing field by ensuring that admissions decisions are based on merit, rather than family connections.
Key Provisions of the Ban
California’s ban on legacy admissions will apply to both public and private universities in the state, marking it as only the second such law in the country to cover private institutions. The law includes the following key provisions:
Prohibition of Legacy and Donor Preferences: Universities will no longer be allowed to factor in an applicant’s relationship to alumni or donors when making admissions decisions. This applies to both undergraduate and graduate admissions.
Increased Data Reporting Requirements: In addition to the ban, California will introduce new reporting requirements for universities. These institutions will be required to publicly disclose more detailed demographic information about their incoming classes, including the race, family income, and athletic participation of enrolled students.
Accountability for Violators: While the law does not impose financial penalties on institutions that violate the ban, it does stipulate that violators will be publicly listed on the California Department of Justice’s website. This public disclosure is intended to increase accountability and encourage compliance with the new rules.
This ban is particularly significant for private institutions like Stanford and USC, where legacy and donor ties have historically played a substantial role in admissions decisions. In 2022, USC admitted the highest percentage of legacy and donor-related students of any California university, at 14.4%, followed by Stanford at 13.8% and Santa Clara University at 13.1%.
A Broader Push for Equity in Admissions
Governor Gavin Newsom emphasized that this new law aligns with California’s broader values of equity and opportunity. In a statement released after signing the legislation, Newsom said, “In California, everyone should be able to get ahead through merit, skill, and hard work. The California Dream shouldn’t be accessible to just a lucky few, which is why we’re opening the door to higher education wide enough for everyone, fairly.”
The move to ban legacy admissions in California comes amid growing national debates over the fairness of college admissions practices. In recent years, there has been increasing pressure on elite institutions to move away from legacy preferences, particularly as they seek to increase diversity and inclusivity on their campuses. With this new law, California is signaling its commitment to ensuring that college admissions are based on individual merit and achievement rather than inherited privilege.
Impact on California’s Elite Universities
The ban on legacy admissions will have a direct impact on some of California’s most prestigious private universities, including Stanford, USC, and Santa Clara. These schools have historically admitted a significant percentage of students with legacy or donor ties, which has fueled criticism of elitism and lack of access for underrepresented groups.
Stanford University: As one of the most selective institutions in the world, Stanford has long been known for its rigorous admissions process. However, the school also admitted 13.8% of students in 2022 who had legacy or donor connections. While Stanford has not officially opposed the new law, it will now need to adjust its admissions policies to comply with the upcoming ban.
University of Southern California (USC): USC has often found itself at the center of the legacy admissions debate, particularly after the Varsity Blues scandal, which revealed the influence of wealthy donors in securing admissions spots. In 2022, 14.4% of USC’s admitted students were related to alumni or donors—the highest percentage of any university in California. In response to the new law, USC has stated that it will comply and continue to evolve its admissions policies to reflect both legal requirements and the university’s commitment to diversity.
What This Means for Prospective Students
For prospective students, the ban on legacy admissions represents a significant shift in how they will be evaluated by California’s top universities. Here’s how it may affect future applicants:
Merit-Based Admissions: Without the influence of legacy or donor ties, admissions decisions will focus more heavily on academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, personal character, and other merit-based criteria. This is good news for students who may not have family connections but have worked hard to build a strong application.
Increased Competition: While the ban levels the playing field for many students, it may also result in increased competition for spots at California’s most prestigious universities. Applicants will need to ensure that their academic profiles and personal statements stand out in a highly competitive admissions environment.
Transparency in the Process: The new data reporting requirements will provide greater transparency in the admissions process, giving prospective students and the public a clearer view of how universities are admitting students and whether they are truly achieving the goals of diversity and equity.
A National Trend Toward Fairness in Admissions
California’s ban on legacy admissions is part of a broader national trend aimed at making college admissions more equitable. The Golden State joins Colorado, Connecticut, and Washington in banning legacy preferences, though California’s new law stands out because it applies to both public and private institutions.
The move is also part of a wider conversation about the role of privilege in higher education. In the aftermath of the Varsity Blues scandal, in which wealthy parents were found to have bribed their children’s way into top colleges, there has been a growing call for universities to eliminate admissions practices that favor the affluent. In response, several elite schools—including Amherst College and Johns Hopkins University—have voluntarily phased out legacy admissions in recent years.
The Future of Legacy Admissions in the U.S. after California Bans Legacy Admissions
While the ban in California is a landmark decision, it remains to be seen whether other states will follow suit. Legacy admissions are deeply entrenched at many elite universities across the country, and change may come slowly for institutions that rely on strong alumni networks for donations and support.
However, with increasing public pressure and the growing demand for fairness and diversity in higher education, it’s possible that we will see more states—and more universities—rethink their legacy admissions practices in the coming years.
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