California Bans Legacy and Donor Admissions at Private Colleges Starting Next Fall

Sep 30, 2024, 04:37 PM

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1780 into law, banning legacy and donor preferences in admissions at private colleges and universities. This legislation, authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting, aims to ensure that admissions decisions are based on merit, skill, and hard work rather than familial or financial connections. California becomes the second state to implement such a ban, following Maryland. The law affects private institutions that benefit from state funding, including prominent universities like Stanford and USC. Newsom emphasized that the new law will advance access to higher education and create a fairer admissions process. The ban will take effect next fall. Last year, 14.5% of USC admitted students and 13.6% at Stanford were relatives of donors or alumni.