In a significant move towards equity and fairness in college admissions, California's state assembly voted unanimously on Tuesday to pass a bill that would ban legacy preferences at both public and private colleges in the state. This landmark decision marks a step forward in addressing longstanding concerns about preferential treatment based on family connections rather than merit.

The Push for Equity: Understanding Legacy Preferences

Legacy preferences in college admissions refer to the practice of giving preferential treatment to applicants who have family members, typically parents or grandparents, who attended the same institution. Supporters of legacy preferences argue that they help foster a sense of community and tradition within colleges, as well as encourage alumni to stay engaged with their alma maters.

However, critics contend that legacy preferences perpetuate inequality by giving an unfair advantage to students from wealthier and predominantly white backgrounds. Studies have shown that legacy applicants are more likely to be admitted and to come from higher-income families than non-legacy applicants. This practice can further exacerbate existing disparities in access to higher education.

California Leads the Way: The Implications of the Bill

If Governor Gavin Newsom signs the bill into law, California will be the second state, after Maryland earlier this month, to prohibit legacy admissions at both public and private colleges. This move would also make California the fourth state to ban legacy preferences at public colleges, joining Colorado and Virginia.

The implications of this bill are significant, particularly for prestigious institutions such as the University of Southern California and Stanford University, which both admit high proportions of legacy students. In 2022, Stanford's class was over 13 percent legacy, while USC's was 14 percent. Banning legacy preferences would require these institutions to evaluate applicants based solely on their academic and personal merits rather than their family ties.

Challenges and Opposition: The Road Ahead

While the passage of this bill is a promising development, it is not without its challenges. Similar efforts to ban legacy preferences have faced opposition from higher education lobbying groups and other stakeholders. In 2019, a legacy ban bill was proposed in California in the wake of the Varsity Blues scandal, but it was ultimately watered down to require only colleges publicly disclose their legacy demographics.

In Connecticut, hopes for a similar ban were recently dashed when the state Senate amended the bill to a transparency mandate modeled on California's current requirements. This demonstrates the complex nature of the issue and the need for careful consideration of the implications of banning legacy preferences.

The Future of College Admissions

The passage of this bill in California reflects a growing recognition of the need to reform college admissions practices to promote equity and fairness. While legacy preferences have long been a contentious issue, their elimination could pave the way for a more inclusive and merit-based admissions process.

Moving forward, it will be important for other states to consider similar measures to address the inequities inherent in legacy admissions. By prioritizing merit and diversity in college admissions, states can ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to pursue higher education and achieve their full potential.