By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
On September 22, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine (UCSF), discriminated based on race in the admission of its 2023-2025 incoming classes. The Justice Department alleges that UCSF’s medical school illegally favored Black and Latino applicants over white and Asian applicants during that time. The DOJ concluded that the practices violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which applies to institutions receiving federal financial assistance.
Please note: This is a DOJ investigative finding, not a court judgment.
What Did the DOJ Find in UCSF’s Admissions Process?
UCSF Medical School’s application process has three stages: the Primary Application, the Secondary Application, and the interview. The agency concluded that race affected which applicants advanced through the admissions process and who received offers of admission. Primary and Secondary Applications prompt applicants to identify and discuss their race. Fewer than 10% of Secondary Applications reach interviews, but Black and Hispanic applicants were invited at much higher rates than White and Asian applicants, despite lower MCAT scores and GPAs.
In its findings, the DOJ reported that, in 2025, UCSF was 4.6 times more likely to admit Hispanic applicants and 12.6 times more likely to admit Black applicants than white applicants with the same MCAT score, undergraduate GPA, and socioeconomic characteristics.
The DOJ’s Notice to UCSF
In a nine-page letter, the DOJ alleged that these practices violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits racial discrimination by federally funded institutions, and the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision against race-based affirmative action in college admissions. The Supreme Court has spoken clearly — federally funded medical schools may not admit students based on misguided and illegal notions of diversity.
The department asked UCSF to respond by October 2, 2026, if it is willing to pursue a voluntary agreement to change its practices. It said it would sue if settlement efforts fail.
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The Health Law Firm routinely represents students, including medical students, dental students, nursing students, pharmacy students, resident physicians, and fellows, who have legal problems with their schools or programs. We also represent students, residents, and fellows in investigations, academic probation and suspensions, disciplinary hearings, clinical competence committee (CCC) hearings, and appeals of adverse actions taken against them. The Health Law Firm’s attorneys include those who are board-certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law as well as licensed health professionals who are also attorneys.
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Sources:
U.S. Department of Justice. “Justice Department Finds UCSF Medical School Discriminates Based on Race in Admissions.” Office of Public Affairs. (September 22, 2026). Web.
Kaleem, Jaweed. “UC San Francisco illegally favored Black and Latino medical school applicants, DOJ alleges.” Los Angeles Times. (September 22, 2026). Web.
About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law; he is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Avenue, Suite 1000, Altamonte Springs, Florida 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620 or Toll-Free: (888) 331-6620.
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