Department of Justice Finds Racial Discrimination in UCLA Medical School Admissions

May 6, 2026, 21:53
USPolitics

Introduction

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has concluded that the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA used illegal racial factors when choosing which students to admit.

Main Body

The DOJ investigation shows that the school used admissions practices that disadvantaged white and Asian applicants to give an advantage to Black and Hispanic candidates. This conclusion is based on data from 2023 and 2024, which shows a difference in academic scores. For example, the average GPA for admitted Black students in 2024 was 3.72, whereas Asian and white students had higher averages of 3.84 and 3.83. Furthermore, the DOJ noted a significant gap in test scores between these groups. According to the report, admissions leaders Jennifer Lucero and Alisa Lopez prioritized diversity goals over academic merit. The DOJ asserted that the school used race-based quotas and specific application questions to identify race. Consequently, these actions are seen as violations of federal law and the 2023 Supreme Court ruling that banned affirmative action, as well as a 1996 California state law. This action is part of a larger federal effort to examine university admissions. The Trump administration has also started investigations at Stanford, Ohio State, and UC San Diego. While the University of California system argued that other methods were not enough to ensure diversity, the government maintains that these practices are illegal. As a result, the school's global ranking has dropped from 6th to 18th place, and there are reports of more students failing basic medical exams.

Conclusion

The DOJ is now trying to reach a voluntary agreement with UCLA to ensure they follow the law. However, if no agreement is reached, the school could face lawsuits and lose federal funding.

Learning

⚡ The 'Cause & Effect' Leap

At the A2 level, students usually connect ideas with simple words like and, but, or because. To reach B2, you must stop using these simple connectors and start using Logical Transition Words.

Look at how the text moves from an action to a result. It doesn't just say "so"; it uses high-level professional markers.

🛠ī¸ The B2 Upgrade Kit

Instead of saying "So...", try these from the article:

  1. Consequently →\rightarrow Used when one event is the direct result of another.

    • Example: The school used quotas. →\rightarrow Consequently, these actions are violations of the law.

  2. As a result →\rightarrow Perfect for showing a clear outcome of a situation.

    • Example: Practices were illegal. →\rightarrow As a result, the school's ranking dropped.

🔍 The Contrast Shift

B2 speakers don't just use "but." They use Comparison Markers to show a difference between two things side-by-side:

  • Whereas: This is a powerful B2 word. It allows you to compare two facts in one sentence.
    • Text Insight: "Black students... 3.72, whereas Asian and white students had higher averages."

🚀 Pro-Tip for Fluency

If you want to sound more academic, move the connector to the start of the sentence followed by a comma.

  • A2 Style: The school broke the law so it lost money.
  • B2 Style: The school broke the law. Consequently, it lost federal funding.

Vocabulary Learning

concluded (v.)
to have decided or determined after consideration
Example:The DOJ concluded that the admissions process was discriminatory.
disadvantaged (adj.)
put at a disadvantage or in a less favorable position
Example:White and Asian applicants were disadvantaged by the new policy.
advantage (n.)
a benefit or favorable circumstance
Example:The policy gave an advantage to Black and Hispanic candidates.
difference (n.)
the way in which two or more things are not the same
Example:There was a difference in GPA between the groups.
prioritized (v.)
to give priority to something
Example:Admissions leaders prioritized diversity over academic merit.
quotas (n.)
fixed numbers or limits set for a particular group
Example:The school used race-based quotas to guide admissions.
violations (n.)
acts that break rules or laws
Example:These actions were seen as violations of federal law.
federal (adj.)
relating to the national government
Example:Federal law prohibits discrimination in college admissions.
voluntary (adj.)
done by choice, not forced
Example:The DOJ is seeking a voluntary agreement with UCLA.
lawsuits (n.)
legal actions brought against someone
Example:If no agreement is reached, the school could face lawsuits.