DOJ finds Title VI violation at UCSF medical school

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(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Justice has sent a letter to the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, stating that it violated Title VI by discriminating in its admissions process. 

The DOJ alleges the university violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars discrimination based on race. The DOJ said UCSF’s medical school “illegally discriminated based on race in its medical school admissions processes,” according to a letter sent to UCSF. 

In March 2026, the DOJ notified UCSF of its investigation and requested admissions data and documents related to the medical school’s policies and practices. UCSF receives around $1 billion in federal funding. 

The Center Square reached out to the DOJ for comment but was referred to its press release and the findings letter sent to UCSF. 

“While UCSF Med's holistic review policy uses stereotypes about race and social class in an attempt to increase the racial diversity of the class, the school also engages in direct racial discrimination through the use of race in its pipeline programs, application and essay questions, and the interview process,” the DOJ’s letter stated. 

The DOJ also cited differences in average Medical College Admission Test scores among students admitted in 2025. 

The department reported average scores of 514 for Black students and 513 for Latino students, compared with 519 for white students and 518 for Asian students.

“Unfortunately, at UCSF Medical School, MCAT scores and undergraduate GPAs have taken a backseat to race,” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division said. “Aspiring doctors should be admitted based on their qualifications.”

The DOJ is seeking to resolve the matter through a voluntary compliance agreement. UCSF was asked to contact the department by Oct. 2, 2026, if it is willing to enter into a voluntary resolution agreement.

The Center Square reached out to UCSF for a comment but did not receive a response. 

“UCSF prides itself on considering the unique qualifications of each individual applicant. Consistent with this philosophy, UCSF accepts students with a wide range of undergraduate pursuits and accomplishments,” according to the school’s admissions policy on its website.