The U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday that the UCLA School of Law illegally used race as a factor in admissions for the 2023, 2024, and 2025 incoming classes, violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision ending race-based affirmative action in college admissions.
In an eight-page letter, the DOJ alleged that UCLA Law operated a two-tiered admissions system, adjusting academic standards based on an applicant’s race. The department’s Civil Rights Division stated that Black and Latino applicants were favored in violation of federal law, while white and Asian applicants faced higher barriers.
The investigation, launched on April 18, 2025, reviewed seven years of application data and documents, including personal statements and essay prompts that allegedly elicited racial information. The DOJ also cited internal university materials indicating that admissions staff coached minority applicants on how to disclose their race during recruitment events, such as the Diversity Admissions Open House.
Key Findings from the DOJ Report:
- For the 2025 class, Black applicants were admitted with LSAT scores at or below the 10th percentile of admitted white applicants.
- In 2024 and 2025 combined, half of admitted Black applicants had LSAT scores equal to or below 90% of admitted white applicants.
- The DOJ concluded that UCLA Law’s process shifted academic thresholds based on race, creating an illegal advantage for some groups and a disadvantage for others.
UCLA Law responded in a statement that it is committed to compliance with all applicable laws and uses a comprehensive, merit-based review process. The school cited Proposition 209, California’s 1996 ban on considering race in public university admissions, as guiding its policies. "Students are admitted through a comprehensive, merit-based review process that considers each applicant’s achievements and experiences," the statement read.
Legal and Political Context
The DOJ’s action follows similar findings against UC Berkeley Law School and multiple UC medical schools, including UCLA’s own medical school. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon, who leads the Civil Rights Division, stated that the department will continue enforcing equal treatment under the law in higher education.
The allegations raise questions about federal funding risks for UCLA Law, as institutions found in violation of Title VI may face loss of federal financial assistance. The DOJ’s letter did not specify immediate penalties but demanded corrective actions to align admissions with federal law.
Background on Affirmative Action and Legal Precedents
In June 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard that race-conscious admissions policies at colleges and universities violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The decision effectively ended affirmative action in higher education, prompting increased scrutiny of admissions practices nationwide.
California’s Proposition 209, passed in 1996, already prohibits public universities from considering race, sex, or ethnicity in admissions. Despite this, the DOJ’s investigation suggests that UCLA Law may have circumvented the law through alternative policies or practices.
UCLA Law’s Defense and Ongoing Debate
UCLA Law emphasized that its admissions process is race-neutral in principle, though critics argue that the DOJ’s findings indicate otherwise. The school has not detailed specific changes to its policies but stated it remains confident in its compliance with the law.
The case reflects broader tensions over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in higher education, with supporters of race-conscious admissions arguing that such policies are necessary to address historical inequities, while opponents contend they violate constitutional principles of equal treatment.
The DOJ’s investigation remains ongoing, with further developments expected as UCLA Law responds to the allegations.