Legacy admissions have long been a contentious issue in higher education, and for good reason. This practice, which gives preferential treatment to the children of alumni, perpetuates inequality and hinders efforts to create a fair and inclusive system.

At its core, legacy admissions undermine the principles of fairness and meritocracy that should guide college admissions. By prioritizing applicants based on their family connections rather than their own achievements and qualifications, universities are essentially rewarding privilege and perpetuating social inequality. This is particularly harmful to marginalized communities, who often lack the same legacy advantages as their wealthier counterparts.

Legacy admissions also exacerbate existing disparities in access to higher education. Marginalized students already face numerous barriers in their pursuit of a college education, including limited financial resources, inadequate educational opportunities, and systemic discrimination. Legacy preferences only serve to widen this gap, as they give an unfair advantage to students who are already more likely to come from privileged backgrounds.

Furthermore, legacy admissions contribute to a lack of diversity on college campuses. By prioritizing applicants from wealthy and predominantly white families, universities are effectively shutting out students from underrepresented communities. This not only limits the educational opportunities available to these students, but also perpetuates a cycle of privilege and exclusion.

In order to create a truly equitable and inclusive higher education system, it is crucial to address the issue of legacy admissions. Universities must prioritize merit and achievement over family connections, and actively work to level the playing field for all applicants. This can be achieved through the implementation of holistic admissions processes that take into account a wide range of factors, including socioeconomic background, educational disadvantage, and community involvement.

By championing equity and fairness in college admissions, we can create a system that truly reflects the diversity and talent of our society. It is time to put an end to legacy admissions and ensure that every student has an equal opportunity to succeed.