California Bans Legacy Admissions at Private Colleges

California has become the fifth state to ban legacy admissions in private colleges and universities, following a growing trend amid a national reevaluation of college admissions practices. Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1780, which prohibits giving preferential treatment to applicants based on family connections or donations, with the law taking effect in September 2025. Newsom emphasized that merit, skill, and hard work should be the basis for college admissions, stating that the California Dream should be accessible to all, not just a privileged few. The law applies to prominent institutions like Stanford and USC, and aims to ensure that wealth and personal relationships do not influence admissions decisions. This legislative push follows a Supreme Court ruling that restricted race-based considerations in admissions, thus shifting the focus toward addressing legacy preferences. The bill also requires private colleges to report their compliance annually, promoting transparency in the admissions process.