Harvard University has announced it will eliminate legacy admissions preferences starting with the Class of 2031, becoming the most prestigious university to abandon the practice following the Supreme Court's ban on race-conscious admissions.

The Decision

Harvard's board voted unanimously to end preferential treatment for children of alumni, which historically gave them a 5x higher admission rate. The change affects roughly 30% of each incoming class.

Ripple Effect

Yale, Princeton, and Stanford are facing pressure to follow suit. Advocates argue that eliminating legacy preferences is essential for socioeconomic diversity now that race-based admissions are banned.