DoJ investigates 15 medical schools over alleged discrimination in admissions

The U.S. Department of Justice's civil rights division is investigating 15 medical schools nationwide over allegations of potential race discrimination in their admissions processes. This announcement comes after the department's recent findings that the medical schools at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Yale University illegally considered race in their admissions.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon stated, "Many of America’s top medical schools appear more concerned about the demographics of their incoming classes than training students to succeed in the profession." She added, "Under this justice department, we will continue to protect American students from discriminatory and illegal preferences in admissions – especially in professions as critical as medicine, where quality of training should be the top priority."

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Many of America’s top medical schools appear more concerned about the demographics of their incoming classes than training students to succeed in the profession

The investigations will examine whether these schools, all of which receive federal funding, are complying with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination. The DoJ has emphasized that it has not yet reached any conclusions regarding these ongoing investigations. While the specific schools under scrutiny have not been publicly identified, the probe follows similar actions against Stanford University, Ohio State University, and the University of California, San Diego, initiated in March.

This increased scrutiny aligns with efforts by the Trump administration to challenge race-conscious admissions practices. Following the Supreme Court's 2023 ruling against affirmative action, which prohibits the direct use of race, the administration has accused universities of using indirect methods, such as essays and personal statements, to factor race into enrollment decisions. This approach is viewed by conservatives as illegal discrimination. In response to these concerns, former President Trump signed an executive action requiring higher education institutions to provide data demonstrating they do not use race in admissions assessments.

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Under this justice department, we will continue to protect American students from discriminatory and illegal preferences in admissions – especially in professions as critical as medicine, where quality of training should be the top priority