Yale Accused of Racial Bias in Medical School Admissions

The Justice Department has accused Yale University of engaging in racially biased admissions processes at its medical school, alleging a higher acceptance rate for Black and Hispanic students despite lower academic metrics than their white and Asian peers. This marks the second accusation of racial discrimination the federal agency has made against a university within the month.

According to Harmeet Dhillon, assistant attorney general for civil rights, Yale's practices contravene Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, with investigations revealing discrepancies in grade-point averages and standardized test scores for incomers. Yale, however, stands by its admissions protocol, emphasizing the academic credentials and commitments of its admitted students.

This development follows a 2023 Supreme Court ruling which banned affirmative action in college admissions, a move the Trump administration has supported by pressuring universities to cease race-based admissions. The DOJ suggests Yale enter a voluntary resolution agreement, maintaining authority to pursue legal action if compliance isn't obtained.

(With inputs from agencies.)