DOJ Opens Probes Into Possible Race Discrimination at 3 Medical Schools

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated investigations into possible race discrimination in the admissions processes of three U.S. medical schools.

The DOJ sent letters to the medical schools of Stanford University, Ohio State University, and the University of California—San Diego, notifying them of the federal probes. Harmeet Dhillon, assistant attorney general for the DOJ’s civil rights division, confirmed the probes in a post on X on March 26.

In the letters, the DOJ requested documents on the schools’ admissions policies to determine how race is considered in evaluating applicants, along with applicant-level admissions data, including standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, admission outcomes, and demographics.

Stanford School of Medicine told The Epoch Times by email that it was reviewing the DOJ’s letter and “will respond appropriately.”

“Stanford School of Medicine prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law,” the school’s spokesperson said.

A spokesperson for Ohio State University also said the school will respond appropriately to the DOJ’s letter and affirmed its compliance with state and federal regulations and legal rulings governing admissions policies.

University of California–San Diego said it was reviewing the DOJ’s letter and remains committed “to fair processes in all of our programs and activities, including admissions, consistent with federal and state anti-discrimination laws.”

The Epoch Times reached out to the DOJ for comment, but did not receive a response by publication time.

In August 2025, President Donald Trump issued a memo directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to require federally funded higher education institutions to provide information verifying that their admissions processes do not discriminate against any applicants.

“Race-based admissions practices are not only unfair, but also threaten our national security and well-being,” the president said in the memo. “It is therefore the policy of my administration to ensure institutions of higher education receiving federal financial assistance are transparent in their admissions practices.”

The memo states that McMahon may take action under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 if colleges fail to submit timely, complete, and accurate data.

On March 14, U.S. District Judge Dennis Saylor IV issued a temporary restraining order following a lawsuit brought by Massachusetts and 16 other states over the implementation of the Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement (ACTS) survey, which requires colleges to gather and submit race-related admissions data.

The order allowed colleges and universities more time to complete the survey, extending the deadline to March 25 from March 18.

The ACTS survey requires colleges to detail admissions information, including acceptance rates, enrollment figures, income levels, average applicant grade point averages, and standardized test or SAT scores by race and gender.

Kimberly Hayek and The Associated Press contributed to this report.