Ivy League faculties below hearth: Ought to legacy admissions survive in a post-affirmative motion world?
The follow of legacy admissions is as soon as once more below intense scrutiny, notably inside Ivy League establishments, as public opposition and legislative motion proceed to rise. Legacy admissions, the place kids of alumni obtain preferential remedy within the faculty admissions course of, have lengthy been a controversial matter. Nevertheless, following the Supreme Courtroom’s 2023 determination to finish race-conscious affirmative motion insurance policies, the difficulty has gained much more consideration. Critics argue that legacy admissions disproportionately profit wealthier, usually white, college students, perpetuating inequality in faculty admissions.
Whereas universities defend the follow by claiming it helps safe very important monetary donations from alumni, the tide of public opinion appears to be shifting. A 2022 Pew Analysis Heart survey discovered that 75% of People oppose contemplating legacy standing in faculty admissions, a sentiment mirrored by many admissions officers. As reported by Forbes, “Seven out of eight admissions workplace administrators agree that legacy standing shouldn’t play a task in selections.”
The decline of legacy admissions
Legacy admissions are quickly declining throughout the US. As of 2025, solely 24% of four-year faculties take into account legacy standing in admissions, a pointy decline from 49% in 2015. This shift accelerated following the 2023 Supreme Courtroom ruling on affirmative motion, with 92 faculties dropping the legacy choice. Notably, solely 11% of public faculties (62 establishments) proceed to contemplate legacy standing, whereas 30% of personal faculties (358 establishments) keep the follow. As Forbes reported, in 24 states, no public establishments grant legacy preferences.
Regardless of these adjustments, Ivy League faculties stay a few of the most distinguished defenders of legacy admissions. Many of those universities declare that legacy preferences strengthen their alumni relations and monetary help. Nevertheless, research problem this argument. One examine discovered “no statistically important proof that legacy preferences affect complete alumni giving,” contradicting the frequent protection of the follow.
State legislative actions and public strain
State legislators are taking motion towards legacy admissions, with 5 states banning the follow in public universities as of 2024. States like Maryland, California, and Illinois have enacted legal guidelines to remove legacy preferences in public establishments, with California’s ban set to take impact in Fall 2025. Forbes additionally notes that Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New York have reintroduced payments geared toward eradicating legacy admissions, whereas New Jersey’s invoice is presently below debate.
As extra states push for adjustments, even Ivy League faculties, which have traditionally resisted such measures, could ultimately really feel the strain. Universities could face penalties in the event that they proceed to prioritize legacy admissions, particularly because the federal authorities explores potential endowment taxes for wealthiest establishments, in keeping with Forbes.
In a post-affirmative motion world, it appears probably that legacy admissions will proceed to face mounting challenges. As public opposition grows and state legislatures take motion, Ivy League establishments could should reevaluate the follow, pushing for a extra equitable and merit-based method to school admissions.
