DOJ Probes Race Bias in Admissions at Three Med Schools

The U.S. Department of Justice has launched civil rights investigations into the medical schools at Stanford University, Ohio State University, and the University of California, San Diego, examining whether their admissions practices discriminate based on race. The probes, announced through letters sent on March 26, require the institutions to submit seven years of detailed applicant data by April 24 or face potential cuts to federal funding.

Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet K. Dhillon signed the letters, which seek comprehensive records including applicants' race and ethnicity, Medical College Admission Test scores, home addresses and ZIP codes, relationships to alumni or donors, and admissions decisions dating back to the incoming class of 2019. The requests also include internal communications on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, as well as any correspondence between school officials and pharmaceutical companies regarding admissions. Officials emphasized that the department is using its authority under civil rights laws to proactively review federally funded institutions for compliance, without a specific complaint prompting the actions.