6 hrs ago
Justice Department Accuses UCLA Law of Race-Based Admissions Bias
The Justice Department says UCLA Law used race in a way that broke the law when choosing some students.
It says this happened in the classes entering in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The department claims Black and Hispanic applicants were favored over white and Asian American applicants.
It also said the average LSAT score was lower for admitted Black applicants than for admitted white applicants.
Investigators said UCLA staff showed applicants how to discuss their race in essays.
UCLA Law disagrees with the accusation and says its process is based on merit and follows the law.
Race-based affirmative action in college admissions was barred by a 2023 Supreme Court ruling.
The Justice Department and UCLA may now try to reach an agreement, or the department could take legal action.
The Justice Department found that UCLA School of Law illegally considered race in admissions.
The department alleged that UCLA favored Black and Hispanic applicants over white and Asian American applicants in its 2023, 2024, and 2025 incoming classes.
Investigators said admitted Black applicants had a lower mean LSAT score than admitted white applicants.
The department said admissions staff encouraged applicants to disclose their race in essays during recruitment events.
UCLA Law said its admissions process is comprehensive, merit-based, and compliant with applicable laws.
- Who
- The U.S. Justice Department, UCLA School of Law, and UCLA admissions officials are involved.
- What
- The Justice Department found that UCLA Law illegally considered race in admissions and discriminated against white and Asian American applicants.
- Where
- At the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law in California.
- When
- The finding was announced Thursday and concerns the 2023, 2024, and 2025 incoming classes.
- Why
- The Justice Department said UCLA favored some racial groups and used essays and recruitment guidance as ways to consider race.
Justice Department’s Allegations
UCLA Law’s Response
Whether race influenced admissions
Justice Department’s Allegations
The Justice Department said UCLA Law operated a two-tiered admissions system that favored Black and Hispanic applicants over white and Asian American applicants.
UCLA Law’s Response
UCLA Law said students are admitted through a comprehensive, merit-based review process that considers achievements and experiences.
Use of applicant essays
Justice Department’s Allegations
The department said admissions staff instructed applicants during recruitment efforts, including a Diversity Admissions Open House, how to reveal their race in essays.
UCLA Law’s Response
UCLA said it was committed to making admissions decisions in compliance with all applicable laws and expressed confidence in its process.
Legal consequences
Justice Department’s Allegations
The Justice Department said UCLA must comply with its interpretation of admissions law and could face legal action if no voluntary resolution is reached.
UCLA Law’s Response
UCLA’s statement did not concede wrongdoing and maintained that its admissions process is lawful.
Key facts
- Agency
- U.S. Department of Justice
- Institution
- UCLA School of Law
- Classes examined
- Incoming classes of 2023, 2024, and 2025
- Alleged unequal treatment
- The department said Black and Hispanic applicants were favored over white and Asian American applicants.
- Academic measure
- The department said admitted Black applicants had a lower mean LSAT score than admitted white applicants.
- Relevant ruling
- A 2023 Supreme Court ruling barred affirmative action in college admissions.
- Potential next step
- The finding could lead to a voluntary resolution or legal action if no agreement is reached.
Quotes
UCLA School of Law
The University of California, Los Angeles, law school, responding to the Justice Department's finding.
“Students are admitted through a comprehensive, merit-based review process that considers each applicant's achievements and experiences. We are confident in our process.”
NDTV
Harmeet Dhillon
Head of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division.
“Like many of its peer institutions, UCLA Law School runs a two-tiered admissions system whose academic bar for acceptance shifts up or down depending on the color of your skin.”
NDTV
Sources
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