DOJ Accuses UCSF Medical School of Admissions Discrimination

The Justice Department on Sept. 22, 2026, found that UCSF School of Medicine illegally used race in admissions for its 2023, 2024 and 2025 entering classes, favoring Black and Latino applicants over white and Asian applicants. In a nine-page report, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said the practices violated Title VI and the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling. DOJ reported 2025 admitted MCAT averages of 514 for Black students, 513 for Latino students, 519 for white students and 518 for Asian students, and said Black applicants were 12.6 times more likely than comparable white applicants to be admitted. UCSF, which receives nearly $1 billion annually in federal funding including $824 million from NIH in 2025, was given until Oct. 2 to enter a voluntary resolution agreement or face suit. Spokesperson Kristen Bole said UCSF disagrees and that every applicant undergoes a rigorous, individualized review that prioritizes academic excellence. The investigation opened March 30, 2026; DOJ earlier issued similar findings against UCLA Medical School and UC Berkeley Law. Whether UCSF will agree to terms by the deadline is unresolved.