California Ends Legacy and Donor Admissions at Private Universities

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law banning legacy preferences at private universities, joining a budding movement to end a longstanding practice giving the children of alumni and donors a leg up in the college admissions process.

The new law, which will apply to schools including Stanford University and the University of Southern California starting next September, makes the state the second to halt legacy admissions at private colleges. Maryland adopted a similar measure earlier this year, while Colorado, Illinois, and Virginia have barred the practice at public universities.