California Bans Legacy Admissions: What It Means for Your College Journey

In this blog post, we explore California's recent ban on legacy admissions and its implications for high school students navigating the college admissions landscape. We discuss how this change will impact elite private universities like Stanford and USC, and examine how this ban fits into other recent admissions trends and changes. If you’re considering applying to California universities, especially the more selective private schools in the state, we’ll help you understand what the new law means for applicants like you and provide strategies for being a top applicant, whatever your background and wherever you're aiming.

Navigating today’s college admissions landscape can be both exciting and daunting for motivated high school students and their families — especially in recent years. From see-saw policies on standardized testing, to bans on affirmative action and record-low acceptance rates for the Ivy League and other top schools… It all amounts to a turbulent decade for admissions.

Now there’s a new admissions earthquake rippling through California, home to the likes of Stanford, USC, Caltech, UC Berkeley, the Claremont Colleges, and more… On September 30th Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law banning legacy admissions at all colleges in California, ensuring an end to the practice for a handful of selective private institutions still using the practice.

The ban goes into effect September 1, 2025 and is poised to significantly alter some admissions processes and outcomes at top schools such as Stanford and USC.

What Are Legacy Admissions?

Legacy admissions refer to the practice of giving preferential treatment to applicants who are relatives of alumni. This tradition has been prevalent at many prestigious universities, where family connections often influence admissions decisions.

While some may argue that legacy admissions help maintain a sense of community, critics contend that they perpetuate inequality and limit opportunities for a more diverse and merit-based applicant pool.

The Impact of the New Law

The new law will have the most profound impact on a handful of private universities in California, such as Stanford, the University of Southern California (USC), and Santa Clara University, Pepperdine, Claremont McKenna, and Harvey Mudd. These institutions are the few in California that still consider legacy status for admissions, a practice some criticize for impeding fairness and limiting diversity.

With the ban in place, these universities will need to reevaluate their admissions criteria and adjust to the larger impact. After all, schools that have maintained the practice up until now may have good reasons for doing so. Boosting yield rates could be one motivation, as legacies are likely to matriculate if admitted. School leaders may also find that legacies and their parents are more likely to become engaged alumni and more generous donors over the long term.

For the majority of applicants, however, the elimination of legacy admissions should make the admissions process more merit-based, allowing for a wider range of applicants to have a shot at getting offers.

After September 2025, no universities or colleges in California will be allowed to distinguish between legacies and non-legacies during the admissions process. This shift could lead to a more diverse and inclusive academic environment at some California institutions, ensuring admissions practices are deemed more fair and beneficial for the greatest number of students.

Public Universities: A Different Story

As for public institutions in California — including high-profile and high-ranking institutions such as UC Berkeley and UCLA — there’s really no change. These and all other public universities in the state eliminated legacy preferences back in 1998.

Therefore, as you explore your options, keep in mind that public universities you’re thinking about applying to in California already have more equitable admissions practices in place, so the new law doesn’t really affect admissions for these schools.

A Step Towards Equity

Governor Newsom's decision to ban legacy admissions is part of a broader movement toward equity in higher education. By eliminating this practice, California is taking a stand against systemic advantages that have historically benefited certain groups of students.

This law aligns with ongoing efforts to create a more level playing field in college admissions, ensuring that all applicants are evaluated based on their individual merits rather than their family connections.

The Larger Admissions Landscape Across the U.S.

As you prepare for your college journey, it’s crucial to understand how California’s ban on legacy admissions fits into the broader admissions landscape across the United States.

1. Nationwide Data on Legacy Admissions

While specific data on legacy admissions can vary, studies have shown that legacy status can significantly influence admissions decisions at elite institutions. For example, a report from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that legacy applicants are 2–3 times more likely to be admitted to Ivy League schools compared to non-legacy applicants.

One study using data presented in court cases on affirmative action found that “roughly three-quarters of white ALDC admits would have been rejected absent their ALDC status”. (Source: “Legacy and Athlete Preferences at Harvard.” Journal of Labor Economics, Jan. 2020.) In the report, "ALDC" refers to preferences for admissions that include: athletic recruits, legacy applicants, children of faculty and staff, and applicants on the dean's interest list.

Reporters for Associated Press found that legacy students made up roughly 10% to 20% of admits across a number of selective colleges they surveyed.

In California, proponents of the state ban contend that legacy admissions had a limited but not negligible role in admissions outcomes at highly selective private universities and colleges as recently as the fall of 2022:

These statistics highlight the relatively small number of schools actually affected, versus the significant impact the ban will have on two of the state's most renowned private institutions — Stanford and USC — where even recently legacies made up about 1 in every 8 students admitted!

2. The Debate on Equity and Inclusion

Those opposed to legacy admissions often complain that it favors applicants from wealthier backgrounds and can pit less qualified applicants against more qualified ones whose families can’t afford the more generous levels of alumni giving.

Economic researchers at Harvard found that legacy preferences and other “nonacademic factors” advantage more affluent students, both for getting into top schools and for the lifelong benefits they reap from that opportunity:

We find that certain admissions practices at Ivy-Plus colleges—legacy preferences, weight placed on nonacademic factors, and athletic recruitment—give children from high income families an advantage in admissions. Furthermore, being admitted to an Ivy-Plus college dramatically changes children’s life trajectories, giving them much greater chances of reaching positions of leadership.

The conversation around college admissions has been further complicated by the landmark 2023 Supreme Court decision banning affirmative action in college admissions. This ruling has sparked intense debate about how universities can maintain diversity and inclusion without using race as a factor in admissions.

In fact, controversy in response to the Court’s ban sparked renewed debates about equity that thrust legacy admissions back into the national spotlight in a big way. Today’s ongoing debates about legacies and changes to legacy admissions practices, like the one just ratified in California, stem, at least in part, from reactions to last year’s Supreme Court ban on affirmative action.

As institutions grapple with these changes, the elimination of legacy admissions may serve as one avenue to promote a more equitable admissions process. For you, this means that your application won't be given less weight if you're not a legacy, which could open up added opportunities for more diversity.

3. Other Prominent Bans on Legacy Admissions

California is not alone in its efforts to eliminate legacy admissions. Several universities across the country have taken similar steps.

Over the past four years, institutions like Johns Hopkins, the University of Chicago, and Amherst have eliminated legacy preferences at their institutions.

As for state bans, California is not alone, becoming the fifth state to implement a statewide ban on legacy admissions.

These moves reflect a growing recognition of the need for more equitable admissions practices and a commitment to diversity. As you research colleges, consider how these changes might affect your application strategy.

Reviewing Your College Application Strategy

With the ban on legacy admissions, students applying as legacies to prominent private universities may need to reassess their approach. If you have family connections to a university like Stanford or USC, it’s important to recognize that these connections will no longer provide the same advantage in the admissions process.

This shift means that you should focus on showcasing your unique strengths, experiences, and academic achievements in your applications. Consider how you can differentiate yourself from other applicants through your personal statement, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation. Additionally, research each university’s values and mission to align your application with what they prioritize in their student body.

Here are some strategies to consider as you navigate this new landscape:

1. Highlight Your Individual Achievements: Emphasize your academic accomplishments, leadership roles, and community service. Admissions committees will be looking for students who demonstrate initiative, resilience, and a commitment to making a positive impact.
2. Craft a Compelling Personal Statement: Use your personal statement to tell your story. Share your passions, challenges you've overcome, and what you hope to achieve in college. Connect with the admissions committee on a personal level and show them who you are beyond your grades and test scores.
3. Engage in Meaningful Extracurricular Activities: Focus on quality over quantity. Engage deeply in a few activities that genuinely interest you, whether they're academic clubs, sports, arts, or community service. Demonstrating commitment and passion can set you apart from other applicants.
4. Seek Strong Letters of Recommendation: Choose recommenders who know you well and can speak to your character, work ethic, and contributions. A personalized letter that highlights your strengths and potential can make a significant difference in your application.
5. Research and Visit Schools: Take the time to research each university’s culture, programs, and opportunities. If possible, visit campuses to get a feel for the environment. This knowledge helps you demonstrate your genuine interest in each institution.
6. Consider a Broader Range of Schools: Look for institutions that align with your academic and personal goals, as well as those that value diversity and merit-based admissions.

By adapting your application strategy in light of the ban on legacy admissions, you can enhance your chances of success at your chosen universities. Remember, the admissions process is not just about fitting a mold; be genuine and showcase your individuality and potential. Embrace this opportunity to present your best self, and approach your college search with confidence and enthusiasm.

Final Thoughts

The ban on legacy admissions in California, while certainly a milestone for nationwide admissions trends, will in reality only impact a handful of California institutions in a state where the vast majority of institutions no longer use the practice.

That said, the impact at some of the state's flagship private institutions, no less than Stanford and USC, will be measurable and significant, potentially changing admission outcomes for numerous students.

In terms of state politics, this change not only reflects a commitment to equity in education but amplifies a larger call for similar reform in other states and at more universities.

As you embark on your college search and application journey, keep these developments in mind. Focus on showcasing your unique strengths, experiences, and aspirations in your applications.

The landscape is evolving, and with it, new opportunities are emerging for motivated students like you. So don't let the headlines distract you from your goal... Wherever you are on your college journey, the experienced team members at Crimson Education know all too well the decisions and stress that are part of each step in the process. When you need them, Crimson strategists are ready to help!