Justice Department Finds UCLA Medical School Discriminated by Race in Admissions

The U.S. Department of Justice determined that the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, discriminated on the basis of race when evaluating applicants for admission. The Civil Rights Division reached this conclusion after a year-long review of the school’s policies and practices, with findings released May 6, 2026.

The investigation examined the admissions process at the David Geffen School of Medicine, a federally funded program that receives thousands of applications each year for a limited number of seats in its entering class. The review covered decision-making criteria applied to all candidates seeking entry into the medical degree program.

The determination alters the school’s admissions framework. Prior policies permitted consideration of race in ways the Justice Department identified as unlawful under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The school must now apply only race-neutral criteria to every application and must revise its review procedures, training materials, and selection guidelines to remove any racial factors.

The finding requires the university to document and implement revised admissions protocols. The Civil Rights Division holds authority to request compliance records and to initiate further enforcement steps, including referral for loss of federal funding eligibility, if the school does not demonstrate adherence.

Other medical schools operating under the same federal statute now face explicit guidance on prohibited practices.

This case continues the Justice Department’s enforcement of nondiscrimination requirements in higher education programs that receive federal financial assistance. Title VI has applied to institutions such as the David Geffen School of Medicine since its enactment in 1964.