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March 13, 2026 Clouds | 31°F
The 194th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Bill S.928 194th (Current)

An Act banning legacy preferences in higher education

By Ms. Edwards, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 928) of Lydia Edwards for legislation to ban legacy preferences in higher education. Higher Education.

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Bill Information

Presenter:
Lydia Edwards
Special Attachments:
Committee - Senate member votes

Education

This bill would eliminate the practice of legacy admissions across Massachusetts’ higher education institutions - both public and private. Research has indicated that legacy applicants are three to five times more likely to be admitted to college than their equally qualified non-legacy peers. Legacy admissions do little for a college or university’s academic strength and worsens socioeconomic diversity in higher education. Legacy students tend to be admitted at a higher rate, indicating this factor may play a bigger role in admissions than other factors. The boost that their application receives is comparable to a 160 point boost in their SAT score. Massachusetts is one of just 5 states where a majority of public institutions of higher education offer an admission advantage to the children of alumni.
* The bill summary was created by the Primary Sponsor of the bill; no committee of the General Court certifies the accuracy of its contents.

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