DOJ Begins Probe of Admissions Practices at Three Medical Schools

The Justice Department on Thursday opened investigations into admissions policies at three of the country’s top medical schools, a move that effectively expands the Trump administration’s pressure campaign on institutions of higher education.

The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division demanded that Stanford University, Ohio State University, and the University of California, San Diego, turn over extensive data about applicants by April 24 or risk federal funding, The New York Times reported.

“At this time, our investigation will focus on possible race discrimination in medical school admissions,” Harmeet K. Dhillon, the Justice Department’s assistant attorney general for civil rights, wrote in each of the letters.

All three medical schools are top recipients of National Institutes of Health money, a major funding stream for universities that has been used as leverage by the second Trump administration.

This week’s investigations are the latest in the White House’s yearlong effort to reshape higher education by cracking down on alleged antisemitism, quelling campus protests and pulling federal funds for research into topics the administration doesn’t support.

All three medical schools confirmed that they had been notified of the government’s investigation.

“Ohio State is fully compliant with all state and federal regulations and legal rulings regarding admissions. We’ve received the letter and will respond appropriately,” spokesperson Ben Johnson said.

UC San Diego said it was notified yesterday and that it was reviewing the notice.

“UC San Diego is committed to fair processes in all of our programs and activities, including admissions, consistent with federal and state anti-discrimination laws,” a spokesperson said.

A Stanford spokesperson said the school was also reviewing the notice and would respond appropriately.

“Stanford School of Medicine prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law,” they added.

The requested data include seven years’ worth of test scores, home ZIP codes and applicants’ ties to alumni or donors. The DOJ also requested copies of internal communications at the colleges about diversity, equity and inclusion and messages shared between school officials and pharmaceutical companies about their admissions policies.

The Supreme Court in 2023 barred colleges from considering race in admissions, and the Trump administration has taken a keen interest in whether colleges are following the law.

The White House announced in August that colleges must report data on the race, gender, test scores and grade averages of applicants. More than a dozen states sued the Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget, arguing that the requirement targets diversity efforts and burdens colleges.