DOJ Joins Lawsuit Alleging Racial Discrimination in UCLA Admissions
The U.S. Department of Justice announced that its Civil Rights Division is intervening in a lawsuit against UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine. The suit alleges that the school continued to consider race in admissions decisions, despite the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling prohibiting race‑based admissions practices.
The original lawsuit was filed by several groups, including Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) — the same organization behind the landmark cases against Harvard and UNC that ended affirmative action in higher education.
What the Lawsuit Claims
According to the DOJ’s announcement, the lawsuit argues that UCLA’s medical school:
- Used race as a factor in admissions decisions, violating federal civil rights law
- Maintained admissions practices inconsistent with the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling
- Continued policies and frameworks that allegedly prioritized racial considerations
The DOJ’s involvement signals that the federal government believes the allegations are serious enough to warrant intervention.
Why the DOJ Stepped In
The DOJ stated that its role is to ensure that federally funded institutions comply with civil rights laws, including the Supreme Court’s ban on race‑based admissions.
By joining the lawsuit, the DOJ is:
- Reinforcing the legal precedent set in 2023
- Sending a message to universities nationwide about compliance expectations
- Increasing pressure on institutions accused of circumventing the ruling
This marks one of the most significant federal enforcement actions since the end of affirmative action.
UCLA’s Position
The University of California system has long stated that it stopped using race in admissions in the mid‑1990s, following California’s Proposition 209. UCLA has not yet issued a detailed public response to the DOJ’s intervention, but the case raises questions about how admissions policies are implemented in practice.
What This Means for Medical School Admissions
The DOJ’s involvement could have broad implications:
1. Increased Federal Oversight
Medical schools — especially those receiving federal funding — may face heightened scrutiny of their admissions processes.
2. Policy Revisions Across Institutions
Universities may accelerate revisions to admissions criteria to avoid similar lawsuits.
3. Greater Transparency Requirements
Schools may be pushed to document and publicly clarify how they evaluate applicants without considering race.
4. Potential Ripple Effects Beyond California
This case could influence admissions practices at medical schools nationwide, not just at UCLA.
Why This Matters
The lawsuit touches on several high‑stakes issues:
- Fairness and equity in medical school admissions
- Compliance with federal civil rights law
- The future of diversity initiatives in higher education
As the DOJ takes a more active role, universities will need to navigate how to maintain diversity without violating legal restrictions.
Final Thoughts
The DOJ’s decision to join the lawsuit against UCLA’s medical school marks a pivotal moment in the post‑affirmative‑action era. With federal authorities now directly involved, medical schools across the country may face increased pressure to ensure their admissions processes align with the law — and withstand legal scrutiny.