Bill
HD 3615
Massachusetts ban on considering applicant family alumni connections in college admissions to reduce wealthy family advantages and increase equity.
HD 3615 would prohibit Massachusetts colleges and universities from considering legacy status—familial connections to alumni—as a factor in undergraduate admissions decisions. The bill applies to both public and private institutions that receive state funding or tax benefits. This aligns with similar legislative efforts in other states to reduce advantages for applicants from wealthy, established families.
Legacy preferences have long been criticized as mechanisms that entrench socioeconomic inequality in higher education, as they disproportionately benefit white, affluent students whose families have multi-generational college attendance. Eliminating this practice could theoretically increase admission opportunities for first-generation and lower-income students. The policy intersects with ongoing national debates about college admissions equity and whether institutional practices should prioritize diversity or traditional donor relationships.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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