DOJ Found Race-Based Admissions at UC San Diego

The Justice Department concluded the medical school violated federal civil rights law and Supreme Court precedents.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in College Applications

DOJ Found Race-Based Admissions at UC San Diego

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The U.S. Department of Justice determined that the UC San Diego School of Medicine utilized race-based methods during its admissions process. Officials concluded these practices violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling in Students for Fair Admissions.

Why it matters

The findings challenge institutional admissions practices and highlight federal efforts to enforce the landmark Supreme Court decision. The Justice Department is now monitoring the school for compliance and pursuing similar settlements across other medical institutions.

The Justice Department identified the use of a shadow application process and race proxies to preferentially admit Black and Hispanic applicants. These methods were found to directly contradict the legal standards established in 2023.

The players

UC San Diego School of Medicine

This is a graduate medical school located in San Diego that is currently facing federal oversight regarding its admissions policies.

U.S. Department of Justice

This federal executive department is responsible for the enforcement of federal laws and the administration of justice in the United States.

The details

Investigators uncovered that the school relied on a shadow application process to evaluate candidates alongside the use of race proxies. These administrative mechanisms were explicitly cited as evidence that the institution failed to comply with federal requirements.

The Students for Fair Admissions ruling was issued by the Supreme Court in 2023.

Culture Shift

This enforcement action signals a major pivot in academic administration as institutions move away from race-conscious recruitment. It follows the 2023 Students for Fair Admissions Supreme Court ruling, which effectively curtailed the use of race as a factor in university enrollment.

Prospective medical students applying to programs in the area may encounter significant changes to application portals and evaluation criteria. These adjustments reflect a broader mandate for institutions to ensure their selection processes remain compliant with new federal guidelines.

The takeaway

The Justice Department is actively expanding its review to additional medical schools nationwide to ensure consistent adherence to federal law. Applicants should prepare for a landscape where race-blind admissions processes are becoming the standardized requirement for higher education.