California has become just the second state to ban legacy and donor preferences in admissions at private colleges and universities. The new law, which goes into effect in September 2025, was a direct response to the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling that restricted the use of race in college admissions, its sponsor said.
“If we value diversity in higher education, we must level the playing field,” California Assemblymember Phil Ting said in a statement. “Hard work, good grades and a well-rounded background should earn you a spot in the incoming class—not the size of the check your family can write or who you’re related to.”
Legacy admissions and donor preferences were outlawed at California’s public colleges and universities decades ago. The University of California system made the move in 1998.
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The new law requires private colleges and universities to submit an annual compliance report to disclose. Violations of the law could invite further state scrutiny and additional reporting on behalf of institutions.
“In California, everyone should be able to get ahead through merit, skill and hard work,” Governor Gavin Newsom said in signing the bill. “The California Dream shouldn’t be accessible to just a lucky few, which is why we’re opening the door to higher education wide enough for everyone, fairly.”
Illinois, Colorado and Virginia have passed legacy admissions bans, but the laws in those states only cover public universities and colleges. Maryland is the only other state that has banned such admissions practices at private schools.
California’s measure impacts high-profile institutions such as Stanford University and the University of Southern California. According to The Stanford Daily, Stanford reported that about 13% of the students admitted in 2023 had “some form of existing connection to Stanford.” In an email to The Stanford Daily, the university’s media department said that the school will continue to review its admissions policies through next fall, when the law takes effect.
U.S.C. said in a statement to The New York Times that “all admitted students meet our high academic standards” and that the university will follow the laws governing recruitment and admissions.
