California Bans Legacy Admissions in Universities to Promote Educational Equity

Stamp marked "BANNED" on white background.

California takes a bold step to level the playing field in college admissions, banning legacy preferences at both public and private universities.

At a Glance

California becomes the fifth state to ban legacy admissions, affecting both public and private non-profit universities
The law, authored by Democratic Assemblyman Phil Ting, takes effect in September 2025
Stanford reported 15.4% of its 2023 class benefited from legacy or donor connections, while USC reported 14.5%
Critics argue legacy admissions disproportionately benefit wealthy, predominantly White students
The ban comes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to bar race as a factor in college admissions

California Leads the Charge Against Legacy Admissions

In a landmark move, California has become the fifth state to ban legacy admissions in both public and private non-profit universities. The new law, set to take effect in September 2025, mandates that prestigious institutions like Stanford and the University of Southern California base their admissions solely on merit and academic achievement. This decision marks a significant shift in how top universities approach admissions, potentially reshaping the landscape of higher education in America.

The legislation, authored by Democratic state assembly member Phil Ting, aims to prevent admissions offices from favoring applicants with family ties to alumni or donors. Governor Gavin Newsom, who signed the bill into law, emphasized the importance of fairness in higher education.

California is banning legacy and donor admissions at private colleges to advance access to higher education.

Everyone should be able to get ahead through merit, skill, and hard work, and we’re opening the door wide enough for everyone, fairly. https://t.co/5V6619Xnry

— California Governor (@CAgovernor) September 30, 2024

Impact on Elite Universities

The ban will significantly affect elite private institutions in California. Stanford University reported that 15.4% of its 2023 class benefited from legacy or donor connections, while the University of Southern California reported 14.5%. These numbers highlight the potential impact of the new law on admissions practices at these prestigious schools.

“Hard work, good grades and a well-rounded background should earn you a spot in the incoming class – not the size of the check your family can write or who you’re related to,” Phil Ting, the Democratic state assembly member who authored the legislation, said in a statement.

The law requires affected universities to submit annual compliance reports starting June 2026, ensuring transparency and accountability in the admissions process. This move aligns with a growing trend, as some private colleges, including Johns Hopkins and Amherst, have voluntarily ended legacy admissions practices.

California bans legacy admissions in all colleges, universities https://t.co/gYsqf1gMJK

— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) October 1, 2024

Addressing Educational Equity

Critics of legacy admissions argue that the practice disproportionately benefits wealthy, predominantly White students with lower academic qualifications. By banning this practice, California aims to create more opportunities for students from all backgrounds and promote true educational equity.

“Legacy and donor preferences are a recipe for aristocracy, not justice. [The law] is a critical first step toward ensuring that California’s most selective colleges do not further tip the scales in favor of those who already enjoy the most privilege,” Ryan Cieslikowski, a recent Stanford graduate and the lead organizer at Class Action, an organization that fights against inequitable admissions processes, said in a statement.

The ban comes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to bar race as a factor in college admissions, making it even more crucial to address other forms of potential bias in the admissions process. As California enrolls the most college students in the U.S., the impact of this law could be far-reaching, potentially influencing admissions practices nationwide.

Looking Ahead

While the association representing private colleges initially opposed the bill, they ultimately accepted it after harsher penalties were removed. The true impact of anti-legacy laws remains uncertain, given the various advantages wealthy families have in the admissions process. However, this move by California represents a significant step towards creating a more level playing field in higher education.

“In California, everyone should be able to get ahead through merit, skill, and hard work,” Newsom wrote in a press statement. “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.”