The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA said in a written statement that its admission process is “based on merit” and that it is committed to complying with state and federal laws. It said it is reviewing the Justice Department findings.
A year-long investigation into UCLA by the Justice Department found its medical school discriminated against white and Asian American students by favoring Black and Hispanic applicants.
As part of its evidence, the department cited data showing admitted students who were Black or Hispanic had lower average grade-point averages and test scores in 2023 and 2024. Among Black students admitted in 2024, the average GPA was 3.72, for example, compared with 3.84 for Asian Americans and 3.83 for white students.
The department says that’s evidence the medical school was using non-academic factors to achieve diversity goals.
“As a result of these practices, highly qualified White, Asian, and other students were denied admission on the basis of their race,” said Harmeet Dhillon, head of the department’s Civil Rights Division, in a letter of findings.
The department also took issue with an application document inviting students to volunteer whether they are part of a marginalized group and, if so, to discuss its impact. The question was included in the application process in 2024 and 2025, the department said.
The brief said UC went on to implement “numerous and wideranging race-neutral measures designed to increase diversity of all sorts, including racial diversity.” Even so, the system said it had struggled to increase campus diversity.
The Trump administration finding sets the stage for a voluntary resolution to bring UCLA into compliance with the Justice Department’s legal interpretation or, if none can be reached, potential legal action. Penalties could include a loss of federal funding.
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