California Bans Legacy Admissions in Landmark Move

Governor Gavin Newsom's new law prohibits legacy preferences at all colleges in the state, effective September 2025.

California becomes the fifth state to ban legacy admissions, applying the ban to both public and private colleges.
The legislation follows the Supreme Court's 2023 decision against race-based admissions, pushing for merit-based evaluations.
Research indicates that legacy applicants are significantly more likely to be admitted than non-legacy peers with similar qualifications.
Critics argue that legacy admissions perpetuate inequality, favoring affluent, predominantly white applicants.
Concerns remain about enforcement and transparency, with calls for third-party audits to ensure compliance.