The change will affect Stanford University, the University of Southern California and other private colleges in the state.

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law banning legacy preferences at private universities, joining a budding movement to end a longstanding practice giving the children of alumni and donors a leg up in the college admissions process.

California banned legacy and donor preference in admissions at its private and nonprofit universities on Monday. Why it matters: The law comes in response to the Supreme Court's decision overturning affirmative action and affects prestigious universities like Stanford,