The U.S. Department of Justice has accused the UC Davis School of Medicine of using race as a factor when deciding which students to admit, favoring Black and Latino applicants over Asians. Federal officials say this may be a form of discrimination and could violate anti-discrimination laws. “Davis Med’s actions reflect both unabashed contempt for the rule of law and plain disregard for the potential public health consequences of putting race over merit, skill, and competence,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Department will not allow schools to violate federal law without consequence.”
According to the Department, its review of UC Davis School of Medicine admissions data from 2023 to 2025 found that 93% of admitted Asian students had MCAT scores that were equal to or higher than the average score of admitted Black students. The review also found that Black and Hispanic applicants were admitted at rates up to six times higher than Asian applicants, even though their average academic credentials were lower. The Department says that UC Davis School of Medicine is one of several medical schools that have continued to use race in admissions despite the Supreme Court’s ruling against race-conscious admissions. Last month, the Department concluded that UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine and Yale University School of Medicine also used race as a factor in their admissions decisions.
The Justice Department believes that students should be accepted based on their qualifications, achievements, and experiences, not their race or ethnic background. The allegation comes at a time when many colleges and universities are reviewing their admissions policies after recent court decisions on affirmative action. Supporters of the Justice Department’s position argue that all applicants should be treated the same, regardless of race. They believe admissions decisions should focus on grades, test scores, personal accomplishments, and life experiences. Others argue that diversity is important in medical schools. They say that having students from different backgrounds can help improve healthcare and better serve patients from different communities.
Note: Read the Department’s findings here.
