{"success":true,"data":{"id":"59947d85-3f1b-4498-a544-45b56386ba5a","title":"DOJ accuses UC San Diego medical school of racial discrimination in admissions","summary":"US Edition Change Support Now × \"Clear search box\") Custom Search Sort by Relevance Date NewsNews World CupWorld Cup SportsSports CultureCulture LifestyleLifestyle MoneyMoney TravelTravel PremiumPremium More More Thank you for registering Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the si...","content":"US Edition Change\n\nSupport Now\n\n[×](javascript:void(0) \"Clear search box\")\n\nCustom Search\n\nSort by\n\nRelevance\n\nDate\n\n*   News[News](https://www.independent.co.uk/us)\n\n*   World Cup[World Cup](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup)\n\n*   Sports[Sports](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport)\n\n*   Culture[Culture](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment)\n\n*   Lifestyle[Lifestyle](https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style)\n\n*   Money[Money](https://www.independent.co.uk/us/money)\n\n*   Travel[Travel](https://www.independent.co.uk/us/travel)\n\n*   Premium[Premium](https://www.independent.co.uk/independentpremium)\n\nMore\n\nMore\n\n### Thank you for registering\n\nPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in\n\n# DOJ accuses UC San Diego medical school of racial discrimination in admissions\n\n## The DOJ alleges the school intentionally manipulated applicant data, aiming to discriminate ‘in favor of so-called underrepresented minorities, such as blacks and Hispanics’\n\n[Diego Pineda](https://www.independent.co.uk/author/diego-pineda)Tuesday 21 July 2026 22:44 BST\n\n*   Copy link  \n*   Bookmark  \n*   [Comments](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/uc-san-diego-medical-school-admissions-race-doj-b3019125.html#comments-area)Go to comments  \n\n## Bookmark popover\n\nRemoved from bookmarks\n\nClose popover\n\nRelated: Yale Says It Is Cooperating With DOJ Admissions Investigations, Denies Wrongdoing\n\n### Your support helps us to tell the story\n\nFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.\n\nAt such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.\n\nThe Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.\n\n**Your support makes all the difference.**\n\nThe [Department of Justice](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/trump-doj-school-black-school-programs-b2988627.html \"Trump’s civil rights shake-up sparks fury as Black student programs come under fire\") has accused the [UC San Diego School of Medicine](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/yale-medical-school-race-admissions-doj-b2976986.html \"DOJ finds Yale medical school discriminated based on race in admissions\") of racial discrimination in its [admissions process](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/ucla-medical-school-race-admissions-investigation-b2971861.html \"UCLA medical school illegally considered race in admissions process, DOJ says\"), marking a continuation of the Trump administration’s investigations into race-conscious policies at higher education institutions.\n\nIn a letter sent to the university this week, the DOJ alleges the school intentionally manipulated applicant data, aiming to discriminate \"in favor of so-called underrepresented minorities, such as blacks and Hispanics.\"\n\nThese findings stem from a Justice Department investigation launched in March, which examined UC San Diego and other schools to ascertain their compliance with a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision prohibiting race-conscious admissions at colleges and universities.\n\nAssistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet K. Dhillon stated: \"Rather than rely on MCAT scores or GPA, San Diego Med's shadow application process unlawfully judged applicants for admission based on their race.\" Dhillon added, \"San Diego Med's blatant efforts to prioritize race are illegal, and we will end these practices.\"\n\nThe DOJ alleges the school's admissions staff used ‘hardship’ questions, in which applicants describe how they overcame certain disadvantages, to determine an applicant's race and ensure minorities receive interviews(Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images))\n\nUC San Diego said it was reviewing the DOJ's letter, but said \"All applicants to the school's Doctor of Medicine program must meet strict academic thresholds, a requirement that is and was applied uniformly to all applicants.\"","source_name":"The Independent","source_url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/uc-san-diego-medical-school-admissions-race-doj-b3019125.html","url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/uc-san-diego-medical-school-admissions-race-doj-b3019125.html","author":"Diego Pineda","author_name":"Diego Pineda","published_at":"2026-07-21T21:44:59.000Z","publication_date":"2026-07-21T21:44:59.000Z","image_url":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/OlTMv7Sf/poster.jpg?width=720","category":"world","topic":"world","tags":[],"political_bias":null,"bias_score":null,"confidence_score":null,"credibility_score":null,"factual_quality":null,"reading_time":3,"word_count":556,"view_count":0,"breaking":false,"breaking_news":false,"ai_analysis":null,"fact_check_status":"unverified","archive_status":"hot","language":null}}