The US Department of Justice has accused Yale University of illegally considering race in admissions to its medical school, marking the second such allegation against a higher education institution this month. In a letter to Yale's lawyer, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon stated that an investigation found Black and Hispanic applicants had significantly higher admission chances than white or Asian students with similar academic credentials.
The Justice Department cited data from the incoming classes of 2023, 2024, and 2025, showing disparities in grade-point averages and MCAT scores. For instance, in the most recent class, Black students had a median GPA of 3.88 and MCAT scores in the 95th percentile, while Asian students had a median GPA of 3.98 and white students a 3.97, both with MCAT scores in the 100th percentile. Dhillon's letter claimed that Black applicants had up to 29 times higher odds of receiving an interview than equally strong Asian applicants.
Yale defended its admissions process, stating that its students demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and personal commitment. A spokesperson said the school would review the Justice Department's letter and expressed confidence in its rigorous admissions procedures. The department is seeking a voluntary resolution agreement and warned it could take legal action under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 if compliance is not achieved.
The allegations follow a 2023 Supreme Court decision banning affirmative action in college admissions, and the Trump administration's broader push to eliminate race-based considerations. Last week, the Justice Department also notified UCLA that its medical school had illegally used race in admissions. In March, 17 Democratic state attorneys general filed a lawsuit challenging a Trump administration policy requiring institutions to prove they are not considering race.
