DOJ Accuses Yale Medical School of Racial Bias in Admissions
The DOJ formally alleged Yale School of Medicine discriminated by race in its admissions process.
Why it matters: This action puts all academic institutions nationwide on notice regarding race-conscious admissions, raising legal compliance and civil rights concerns for university counsel and leadership amid post-affirmative action scrutiny.
- The DOJ found Yale's med school gave Black applicants 29 times higher odds of interview than equally qualified Asian applicants.
- Median MCAT scores for the 2025 class: Black (518), Hispanic (517), White and Asian (524).
- Median GPAs: Black (3.88), Hispanic (3.91), White (3.97), Asian (3.98).
- The DOJ is investigating other medical schools, including UCLA, for similar alleged violations.
The U.S. Department of Justice formally accused Yale School of Medicine on May 14, 2026, of violating federal civil rights law by considering race in its admissions. The DOJ alleges Yale admitted Black and Hispanic applicants with lower academic qualifications than White and Asian applicants, contravening the 2023 Supreme Court ruling banning affirmative action in higher education.
- The DOJ's investigation revealed Black applicants had up to 29 times greater odds of receiving admission interviews than equally qualified Asian applicants with similar credentials (Washington Post).
- For Yale's class of 2025, median MCAT scores were 518 for Black students, 517 for Hispanic, and 524 for White and Asian students. Median GPAs showed a similar academic gap: 3.88 (Black), 3.91 (Hispanic), 3.97 (White), 3.98 (Asian).
- Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet K. Dhillon stated, "Yale has continued its race-based admissions program despite the Supreme Court and the public’s clear mandate for reform."
- A Yale spokesperson defended the school's outcomes, emphasizing the exceptional achievements and public service of Yale-trained physicians.
- The investigation at Yale forms part of a broader DOJ probe into medical school admissions, with UCLA's medical school also under scrutiny.
This escalation signals increased legal risk for universities navigating diversity initiatives and compliance with the Supreme Court's affirmative action ban. Legal teams at educational institutions face heightened urgency to review admissions policies and practices.
By the numbers:
- 29x — Higher odds of interview for Black vs. Asian applicants with equal credentials
- 518/517/524 — Median MCATs for Black, Hispanic, White/Asian admits, respectively
- 3.88/3.91/3.97/3.98 — Median GPAs for Black, Hispanic, White, and Asian admits
Yes, but: Details on Yale's formal response or possible legal outcomes remain unavailable.
What's next: Further DOJ actions and responses from other medical schools under investigation are expected.