Amherst College announced it has eliminated admissions preferences for legacy applicants. Currently, 11% of Amherst’s admits are legacy applicants and the policy had been in place since the 1920s. Amherst has always maintained that the legacy admits adhered to the school’s very highly selective standards.
Biddy Martin, Amherst’s president explained, “Now is the time to end this historic program that inadvertently limits educational opportunity by granting a preference to those whose parents are graduates of the college. We want to create as much opportunity for as many academically talented young people as possible, regardless of financial background or legacy status. There should be no doubt that a world-class education is within reach for students from all income groups.”
