A federal judge has allowed a civil rights lawsuit alleging racial discrimination against Asian-American applicants in college admissions to move forward against the University of Washington, marking a significant legal development in the case.
Stanley Zhong, a Palo Alto, California, high school graduate with a 4.42 GPA and 1590 SAT score, filed the lawsuit alongside his father, Nan Zhong, against multiple elite universities, including the University of California system, Cornell University, and the University of Michigan. The complaints allege that the institutions engaged in "racially discriminatory admissions practices that disadvantage highly qualified Asian-American applicants."
The ruling, issued by Judge James L. Robart, denied the University of Washington’s motion to dismiss Stanley Zhong’s Title VI claims while dismissing several other claims and two of the three plaintiffs. The decision allows the case to proceed into the discovery phase, where internal documents may be requested.
University of Washington responds
The University of Washington Board of Regents stated that the court had dismissed many claims and two plaintiffs, emphasizing the competitive nature of admissions to its Allen School. A spokesperson noted that the university prioritizes in-state applicants due to its status as Washington’s flagship institution. "Admission to the Allen School is highly competitive and the vast majority of out-of-state applicants are not admitted because, as Washington's flagship university, we prioritize Washington residents for admission," the spokesperson said.
Background of the lawsuit
Stanley Zhong’s academic credentials—including his 4.42 GPA and 1590 SAT score—were cited in the filings as evidence of his qualifications. The lawsuit argues that his rejections from 16 colleges reflect systemic bias in admissions policies favoring other racial groups. The Zhongs’ legal team contends that the case challenges long-standing practices they argue disproportionately impact Asian-American applicants.
The lawsuit is part of a broader debate over race-conscious admissions policies in higher education, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling restricting the use of race in college admissions. Legal experts note that the outcome of this case could influence future challenges to affirmative action frameworks.
Next steps
With the lawsuit advancing, the plaintiffs may now seek internal university documents through discovery, potentially uncovering admissions data or policies that could further substantiate their claims. The University of Washington has not indicated whether it will appeal the ruling.