33. Legacy Admissions Bans: Who is Next?

The landscape of college admissions is shifting rapidly. In March 2024, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed a bill prohibiting public universities in the state from giving preferential treatment to applicants based on their relationship to alumni or donors. This move makes Virginia the second state, following Colorado, to enact such a ban. With the Supreme Court striking down affirmative action in 2023, the scrutiny on “legacy admissions” has intensified. Students and parents are now asking a critical question: which states will be the next to dismantle this long-standing tradition?

Understanding the Virginia Ban

Virginia’s decision was historic because it targeted some of the most prestigious public universities in the country. The legislation, which passed unanimously in both the state House and Senate, explicitly bans public institutions like the University of Virginia (UVA), William & Mary, and Virginia Tech from asking about legacy status during the admissions process.

This is significant because UVA has historically maintained a strong preference for children of alumni. Data from 2023 showed that around 14% of the incoming class at UVA had some connection to alumni. The new law effectively removes this “check-box” advantage for the upcoming admissions cycles.

The bill does not apply to private universities in Virginia, such as the University of Richmond or Washington and Lee. However, the unanimous bipartisan support suggests a changing tide in how politicians view meritocracy in education.

The States Leading the Charge

While Virginia is the latest headline, it is part of a growing list of states taking concrete legislative action.

Colorado

Colorado was the pioneer in this movement. In 2021, Governor Jared Polis signed a law banning legacy preferences at all public colleges and universities in the state. This affects major institutions like the University of Colorado Boulder and Colorado State University. Since the ban, these schools have reported that removing the legacy check-box has not negatively impacted their fundraising efforts, a common fear cited by university administrators.

Maryland

Shortly after Virginia’s move, Maryland took similar steps. In April 2024, the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation targeting legacy admissions at public institutions. The law prohibits public colleges from considering a student’s lineage or donor history. This impacts the University of Maryland, College Park, and other schools within the University System of Maryland.

Which States Are Likely Next?

Several states currently have bills in various stages of the legislative process. The pressure is mounting in regions with high concentrations of elite universities.

California

California is currently the battleground for the most aggressive anti-legacy legislation in the country. Assembly Bill 1780, introduced by Assemblymember Phil Ting, seeks to ban legacy preference not just at public schools, but at private universities as well.

This is a major escalation because the University of California system (including UCLA and UC Berkeley) discontinued legacy admissions years ago. The new bill targets private giants like Stanford University and the University of Southern California (USC). If passed, the bill proposes financial penalties for non-compliance, such as cutting off access to state financial aid programs (Cal Grants).

New York

New York is home to two Ivy League institutions, Columbia University and Cornell University. Legislators in Albany have introduced the “Fair College Admissions Act.” This bill aims to prohibit both public and private colleges from using legacy preference or donor status as a criteria for admission. The bill has gained traction following the Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action, with supporters arguing that if race cannot be considered, neither should family wealth or lineage.

Massachusetts

As the home of Harvard University, MIT, and Williams College, Massachusetts is under intense scrutiny. A bill currently under consideration would tax the endowments of wealthy colleges that continue to use legacy preferences. While the bill has not yet passed, the pressure is palpable. Amherst College, a prestigious liberal arts school in the state, voluntarily ended legacy admissions in 2021, proving that elite institutions can thrive without it.

Connecticut

Connecticut lawmakers introduced Senate Bill 203 to ban legacy preferences at all public and private institutions. This would directly impact Yale University. While the bill faced strong opposition from university lobbyists and stalled in committee, proponents have vowed to bring it back in the next legislative session. Notably, Wesleyan University, another top Connecticut college, voluntarily ended legacy admissions in July 2023.

Why the Sudden Momentum?

The acceleration of these bans is directly linked to the Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard. When the Court ruled that race-based affirmative action was unconstitutional, it left a glaring contradiction in the admissions process.

Critics, including the Department of Education, pointed out that legacy admissions overwhelmingly benefit wealthy, white applicants. A study by Opportunity Insights found that children from the top 1% of the income distribution were twice as likely to attend an “Ivy Plus” college as those with comparable test scores from middle-class families. By banning legacy admissions, states are attempting to level the playing field and restore a sense of meritocracy.

The Counter-Argument: Fundraising and Community

Universities have historically defended legacy admissions on two fronts: community building and financial health.

1. Donations: The argument is that alumni are more likely to donate large sums if they believe their children have a better shot at attending their alma mater. These donations fund scholarships, new buildings, and research.
2. Tradition: Colleges argue that multi-generational families build a dedicated community that strengthens the institution’s brand and network.

However, evidence from schools like Johns Hopkins University and Amherst College contradicts the financial fear. Both institutions dropped legacy preferences and have reported that their fundraising levels remained stable or even increased.

What This Means for Applicants

For students applying to college in 2025 and beyond, the rules are changing. If you live in or are applying to schools in Virginia, Colorado, or Maryland, your parents’ alumni status will no longer help you at public universities.

If you are eyeing schools in California, New York, or Massachusetts, you should monitor the news closely. A ban in California would be a seismic shift for private college admissions nationwide, potentially forcing schools like Stanford to completely overhaul their selection criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Virginia ban apply to private schools? No. The legislation signed by Governor Youngkin applies only to public universities like UVA and William & Mary. Private institutions like the University of Richmond are free to continue using legacy preferences.

Which Ivy League schools have banned legacy admissions? Currently, no Ivy League school has been forced by state law to ban legacy admissions, as most bans target public universities. However, individual schools generally have the choice to end it voluntarily. Brown, Yale, and Harvard still consider it, though they are under increasing pressure to stop.

Does being a legacy guarantee admission? No. Even at schools that consider it, legacy status is just a “tip” or a slight advantage. It is rarely enough to get an unqualified student admitted. However, in highly competitive environments where acceptance rates are below 5%, that slight advantage can be the deciding factor.

When does the Virginia law take effect? The ban on legacy admissions at Virginia public universities takes effect on July 1, 2024. This means it will impact students applying for the academic year starting in Fall 2025.