Fairer Admissions Ahead: How California’s New Law Will Impact U.S. Universities

A Shift Toward Equity: Removing Legacy Preferences in College Admissions

Legacy admissions at prestigious U.S. universities have long given preferential treatment to students with alumni or major donor parents. While this practice helped students with strong family connections gain spots, it often overshadowed merit-based admissions, leading to criticism that legacy students benefit from privilege rather than individual achievement, sparking debates over fairness.

In September 2024, California passed a law banning legacy and donor-based admissions at both public and private universities, effective in 2025. Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, the law prioritizes merit over family ties, extending the ban from public to private institutions. Universities like Stanford and USC, known for favouring legacy applicants, will now revise their admissions policies. Legacy preferences give special consideration to applicants with family ties to alumni, often benefiting students from wealthy, well-connected families. Supporters argue it boosts alumni engagement and donations, while critics say it perpetuates inequality. Affirmative action aimed to promote opportunities for marginalized groups by considering race in college admissions to enhance diversity. However, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional in June 2023, forcing universities to find new ways to maintain diversity without using race as a factor.

Legacy preferences and affirmative action represent opposing sides of the admissions debate. While affirmative action aimed to support underrepresented minorities, legacy admissions reinforced privilege. Critics argue that retaining legacy preferences after the end of affirmative action would deepen inequity in college admissions. With legacy admissions no longer in play, U.S. students now face a more equitable process. This shift removes unfair advantages, emphasizing academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and personal narratives. Here are practical tips to strengthen college applications in this new landscape.

1. A Fairer Playing Field

The removal of legacy preferences promotes a fairer college admissions process, focusing on merit, skills, and potential. This change benefits first-generation and underrepresented students who previously faced barriers to admission.

2. Increased Competition

With legacy preferences removed, competition will intensify, requiring all students to meet the same criteria. Academic achievements, extracurriculars, and personal essays will become more crucial in the selection process.
To succeed in the evolving admissions landscape, students must highlight their strengths. Excelling in challenging courses and maintaining high grades are key factors. Additionally, students should engage in meaningful extracurricular activities, Admissions committees value depth over breadth, so demonstrating a deep commitment to a few activities is more impactful than a long list of involvements.

Crafting a compelling personal essay allows students to share authentic stories of their experiences and growth, helping them stand out. Securing strong recommendation letters from teachers and mentors provides personalized endorsements, further strengthening the application. These strategies help students highlight their potential in the admissions process.

3. Seek Out Merit-Based Scholarships

With legacy admissions no longer offering financial advantages, students should seek merit-based scholarships from universities and external organizations to offset tuition costs. California’s ban on legacy preferences signals a shift toward a fairer, merit-based admissions process, promoting equity in higher education. While challenges like diversity remain, this action could inspire other states to create a more inclusive academic future.

Editor's Note

California's new law banning legacy and donor-based admissions marks an important move toward making college admissions fairer. By removing preferences based on family connections, universities will now focus more on students' achievements and potential. While this is a positive change for fairness, it also brings challenges, like increased competition, and requires students to submit stronger, well-rounded applications.

Skoobuzz hopes this guide provides helpful tips for students to succeed in the changing admissions process and stand out in a more equal academic setting.