Legacy admissions, which favor family members of alumni, have come under new scrutiny in recent years, as critics say they are slanted toward White, wealthy applicants.
Similar criticisms are leveled against early decision and early action plans, which allow prospective students to receive an admission decision sooner. Early decision, however, binds them to attend a particular college before they can weigh competing offers.
These debates have escalated as the U.S. Supreme Court considers whether to restrict race-conscious admissions, bringing concerns that historically marginalized students will be further excluded from a college education.