DOJ Alleges UCLA Law Bias
Justice Department Finds UCLA Law Violated Civil Rights With Race-Conscious Admissions
Anonymous
Key Points
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The Justice Department said its analysis found the mean LSAT score was lower for admitted Black applicants than for admitted white applicants.
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The department’s finding comes amid scrutiny of other University of California institutions: it had made a similar finding against UCLA’s medical school and accused UC Berkeley Law and UC San Diego’s medical school of illegally discriminating against white and Asian applicants.
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UCLA Law said its admissions process complies not only with federal law but also with the California Constitution and Proposition 209.
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The Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling barred affirmative action in admissions but allowed colleges to consider how an applicant’s background might reveal broader personal characteristics; the Justice Department’s concern, as described by AP, is that personal statements and other proxies were used to consider race.
The Justice Department says UCLA School of Law broke federal law by considering race in admissions from 2023 to 2025, The Center Square reported. The DOJ alleges the school discriminated against white and Asian applicants, violating a Supreme Court ruling that banned race-conscious college admissions. Western Journal noted the department found admitted Black applicants had lower average LSAT scores than admitted white applicants.
UCLA Law rejects the accusation, saying its admissions process is merit-based and complies with federal law, California's Constitution, and Proposition 209. ASAM News reported the investigation is part of broader federal scrutiny of University of California institutions, with similar allegations against UCLA's medical school, UC Berkeley Law, and UC San Diego's medical school.
How Essays and Recruitment Became a Racial Proxy
The DOJ's investigation centered on how UCLA Law used personal statements and application essays. LA Magazine reported the department alleges admissions staff advised applicants on disclosing their race during recruitment events. The concern: these tools became indirect ways to consider race after the Supreme Court's 2023 decision barred race-conscious admissions.
A Supreme Court Ruling That Reshaped College Admissions
In 2023, the Supreme Court ended affirmative action in college admissions nationwide. The ruling allowed schools to consider how an applicant's background might reveal broader personal characteristics. But the Court barred schools from using race as a direct factor in admission decisions. AOL noted the DOJ is concerned universities are using personal statements and other proxies to work around this restriction.
UCLA's Defense and Broader UC System Scrutiny
UCLA Law says its admissions decisions follow a comprehensive, merit-based review process that complies with all applicable law. The school pointed to its adherence to California's Constitution and Proposition 209, which banned race-based preferences in public education. The DOJ's investigation extends beyond UCLA Law—similar allegations have surfaced at multiple University of California campuses.
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