USC’s Legacy Policy and What It Means for Applicants

The University of Southern California (USC) recently announced that it will continue considering legacy status in its admissions process. The statement came from USC Interim President Beong-Soo Kim and follows a similar announcement from Stanford earlier this year. With both USC and Stanford holding on to their legacy admissions policies, let’s take a closer look at what this means for future applicants.

What Does This Mean?

‍In September 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1780, which prohibits private nonprofit colleges in California that participate in state financial aid programs from giving admissions preference based on legacy or donor/financial-gift status. Stanford and USC are both private colleges and are therefore obligated to follow the directives of the new California bill.

Despite being legally obligated, both USC and Stanford have decided to defy the guidelines put forth in the bill and, as a consequence, will lose access to some state-sponsored funding. Both institutions’ decisions to continue their legacy admissions practices despite Governor Newsom’s mandate suggest that the universities are prioritizing their own strategic initiatives over those of the state government.

What Is Legacy Status?

‍Legacy status means an applicant has a family connection to a school—usually a parent, but sometimes a grandparent or sibling—who graduated from that institution. Historically, “legacy” applicants have received a small advantage in the admissions process at many private universities. The practice was originally intended to strengthen alumni relationships and encourage giving, but many people feel that these practices create an unfair playing field, hindering students who have no family connections to a school.

What Does This Mean for Applicants?

‍According to USC, legacy status will remain just one small part of how applicants are evaluated and will be considered only within the broader context of their achievements, background, and fit with the university.

• If you are a legacy applicant: Your family connection will still be viewed as a positive factor and could strengthen your candidacy. USC does not reveal exactly how much of a factor that is, but for the fall 2025 first-year admitted class, about 14.5% of admitted students were legacy admits. From my perspective, Legacy Status will give you an edge if you are a competitive applicant.
• If you are not a legacy applicant: The admissions landscape remains largely unchanged since no new policy is being adopted. It is important to remember that the majority of USC students do not have legacy ties, so if USC is your dream school, you should continue to remain positive and focus on the parts of your application story that make you shine.

Counselor’s Advice

Focus on what you can control:

1. A strong academic record with rigorous coursework

2. A compelling extracurricular profile that shows leadership, impact, and sustained commitment

3. Authentic, well-crafted essays that reveal your personality and values

4. Strong recommendations that highlight your intellectual ability and character

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Admissions policies may shift, but USC’s selectivity doesn’t. The university continues to look for students who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, initiative, and a clear sense of purpose.

If USC is your goal, build a foundation that reflects your authentic story. Legacy status may help some applicants, but what ultimately stands out are students who show genuine curiosity, leadership, and the potential to make a meaningful impact on campus.

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