The Trump administration Justice Department has launched federal investigations into admissions practices at three major medical schools, examining whether race played an unlawful role in student selection decisions. Stanford University, Ohio State University, and the University of California, San Diego now face demands to turn over six years of applicant data.

Sweeping Document Demands Target Six Years of Records

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon sent formal letters to all three institutions requesting comprehensive documentation on how race factors into their admissions processes. The Justice Department is demanding all applicant-level data dating back to students who enrolled in 2019, including standardized test scores, racial and ethnic information collected or inferred about candidates, and final admissions decisions. A five-page attachment to the letter specifies the extensive records government investigators are seeking from each medical school.

The investigation expands the Trump administration’s campaign against universities regarding diversity policies. In her letter to Ohio State, Dhillon specifically requested documents related to the use or lack of use of race when evaluating applicants. The government also wants any internal reviews the schools conducted, examining admissions trends or outcomes broken down by racial categories. Federal investigators have not publicly explained why these three particular medical schools were selected for investigation.

Universities Respond With Standard Statements

All three institutions issued carefully worded responses acknowledging receipt of the Justice Department letters. Ohio State spokesperson Benjamin Johnson stated the university complies with state and federal regulations and legal rulings regarding admissions, adding they would respond appropriately to the letter. UC San Diego said it was reviewing the notice and remains committed to fair processes consistent with federal and state anti-discrimination laws. Stanford School of Medicine emphasized it prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

What This Means for Medical Education

The investigations signal an aggressive federal approach to examining how medical schools select future doctors. The timing comes as the administration intensifies scrutiny of higher education institutions following Supreme Court rulings on affirmative action. Medical schools nationwide may face similar document requests if the Justice Department finds evidence of race-based admissions policies at these three universities. The outcome could reshape how America’s future physicians are selected and trained, potentially affecting diversity in the healthcare workforce for decades to come.