DOJ Finds UC Davis Med School Used Race-Based Proxies in Admissions After SFFA Ruling

The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division determined that the UC Davis School of Medicine discriminates in its admissions based on race in violation of the Supreme Court’s SFFA decision, uncovering tactics like using socioeconomic proxies and a “Davis Scale” to boost underrepresented minorities. Data present in the investigation show disparities in MCAT/academic qualifications, with white and some Asian admittees often scoring higher yet minority applicants admitted at much higher rates. The DOJ says it will seek settlements or sue to bring practices into compliance, and notes similar findings at UCLA and Yale; federal funds mean medical schools must adhere to nondiscrimination laws and ongoing monitoring will continue.