UCLA Med School Broke Admissions Rules

UCLA Medical School Violated Admissions Law The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, that UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine illegally discriminated on the basis of race in its admissions process for the incoming classes of 2023 through 2025. This finding, detailed in a seven-page letter from the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, concludes a nearly year-long review conducted under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits race-based discrimination by institutions receiving federal funding.

The DOJ's investigation determined that the medical school intentionally used race in its admissions decisions, specifically discriminating against white and Asian American applicants. This practice directly contravenes the 2023 Supreme Court decision in Students for Fair Admissions vs. Harvard , which banned race-conscious admissions at colleges and universities. The ruling permits schools to consider how race affects students only if detailed in personal essays, a condition the DOJ alleges UCLA's medical school did not adhere to.

A spokesperson for UCLA's medical school stated that admissions are "based on merit" and that the institution adheres to legal requirements. The spokesperson affirmed the school's commitment to equal opportunity and compliance with federal and state laws, indicating a careful review of the DOJ's report is underway. The DOJ's findings could lead to further enforcement actions to ensure compliance with federal anti-discrimination statutes.