Palo Alto High School seniors are navigating new challenges in the college admissions process this fall as some universities have changed their policies.

Stanford University administrators announced that they are continuing legacy admissions through fall 2026.

By doing this, in accordance with a new state law passed in 2024, Stanford has chosen to forgo the state’s Cal Grant program to maintain legacy preferences. Stanford will cover the cost of their lost funding with their own resources.

Senior David Zou doesn’t support legacy admissions, but acknowledges why many universities use them to secure donations and financial support from alumni.

“I think legacy is kind of unfortunate, but it’s sort of just a thing they [universities] have to do financially,” Zou said.

Other universities in California are also changing their policies. The University of Southern California implemented an early decision this year for their business school, the Marshall School of Business, after previously only allowing early action.

While the changing application policies can make the process stressful, Paly college advisor Sandra Cernobori assures students that Paly college counselors are here to help and support everyone.

“Some kids are ahead of the game, and then there are other people who are just now starting to think about what they might do [after high school], and everything in between,” Cernobori said. “We’re here to help everybody.”