The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has concluded that UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine violated federal law by considering race in its admissions process for the incoming classes of 2023 through 2025. The findings, released Wednesday, allege that the medical school discriminated against white and Asian American applicants by favoring Black and Hispanic applicants, despite a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that banned race-conscious admissions.
Core Findings and Immediate Action
The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division found that UCLA’s admissions practices violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits race-based discrimination by federally funded institutions. The investigation, spanning a year, cited data showing that admitted Black and Hispanic students had lower average GPAs and MCAT scores than their white and Asian American peers. For example, Black applicants admitted in 2024 had an average GPA of 3.72, compared to 3.84 for Asian Americans and 3.83 for white students.
The DOJ also scrutinized UCLA’s use of the Association of American Medical Colleges’ (AAMC) guidance, which suggested ways to maintain diversity without explicitly referencing race. The department argued that the medical school’s reliance on personal statements and secondary application questions—such as asking applicants about marginalized identities—effectively allowed race to factor into admissions decisions.
Deeper Dive and Context
Legal and Policy Background
The Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard outlawed race-conscious admissions, though it permitted schools to consider how race affected applicants’ experiences in essays. The DOJ’s investigation into UCLA is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to enforce compliance with the ruling. Similar investigations have been opened into medical school admissions at Stanford, Ohio State, and UC San Diego.
UCLA’s Response and Counterarguments
UCLA has not yet responded to the DOJ’s findings. In January, when the DOJ sought to join a lawsuit against the university, a spokesperson stated that the medical school is “committed to fair processes in all of our programs and activities, including admissions, consistent with federal and state anti-discrimination laws.”
Opposing Perspectives
Supporters of race-conscious admissions argue that diversity in medical schools is critical for addressing healthcare disparities. They contend that the DOJ’s findings overlook the broader societal benefits of a diverse medical workforce. Conversely, critics, including the DOJ, assert that such practices undermine merit-based admissions and perpetuate discrimination against certain racial groups.
Long-Term Implications
The DOJ’s findings could set a precedent for future enforcement actions against other institutions accused of circumventing the Supreme Court’s ruling. The case may also influence ongoing debates about affirmative action and the role of race in higher education admissions.