Justice Department accuses Yale medical school of illegally using race in admissions
The U.S. Justice Department accused Yale University of illegally using race in admissions to its medical school, alleging Black and Hispanic applicants had significantly higher admission odds despite lower GPAs and test scores. The DOJ cited Title VI violations and demanded compliance with a 2023 Supreme Court ruling banning race-based affirmative action in college admissions.
The Justice Department accused Yale University of illegally considering race in admissions to its medical school, marking the second such allegation against a U.S. institution this month. In a letter to Yale’s attorney, Harmeet Dhillon, assistant attorney general for civil rights, stated that Black and Hispanic applicants had higher admission chances than white or Asian applicants with lower academic credentials. The DOJ cited data showing Black students admitted in 2023 had a median GPA of 3.88 and MCAT scores in the 95th percentile, while Asian and white students had median GPAs of 3.98 and 3.97, respectively, with MCAT scores in the 100th percentile. The letter claimed Yale’s admissions process gave Black applicants up to 29 times higher odds of an interview compared to equally qualified Asian applicants. Dhillon argued the school violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination, and noted the DOJ could pursue legal action if Yale refused voluntary compliance. The letter also highlighted Yale’s 2023 amicus brief in the *Students for Fair Admissions* case, where the university argued race was necessary for diversity, despite maintaining similar diversity levels afterward. The DOJ’s investigation follows a 2023 Supreme Court decision that banned race-based affirmative action in college admissions, striking down policies at Harvard and the University of North Carolina. Last week, the agency issued similar allegations against UCLA’s medical school. Yale officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while the DOJ’s pressure on universities aligns with policies pushed by the Trump administration since 2023. The letter emphasized Yale’s continued use of race in admissions despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, calling it a ‘willful failure to comply.’ The DOJ seeks a voluntary resolution agreement but reserves the right to take legal action if necessary. The case underscores ongoing debates over affirmative action and racial equity in higher education admissions.
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