U.S. Department of Justice Accuses Ohio State University Medical College of Admission Discrimination
The DOJ claims Ohio State Universitys Medical College discriminated against Asian and white applicants in its admission process.
Washington, October 22 (Daily Kiran) : The U.S. Department of Justice has accused the Ohio State University Medical College of engaging in discriminatory practices during its admission processes. This allegation, made public on October 22, highlights that the college’s admissions system favored Black candidates, allowing some applicants to gain entry without undergoing standard screening or interviews.
The findings emerged from an investigation by the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, which examined admissions data from the classes of 2023, 2024, and 2025. According to the department, the college’s practices violate federal civil rights laws and a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that prohibits race-based admissions.
It is important to note that these findings are preliminary and do not constitute a court ruling. If violations are confirmed, the DOJ aims to negotiate changes with the university before considering legal action.
The investigation revealed that Black applicants who completed the screening and interview processes had nearly 2.8 times higher chances of being selected compared to similarly qualified Asian candidates. The DOJ alleges that the medical college operated a separate admission pathway, allowing some candidates to be admitted without screening scores or interviews.
Harmit K. Dhillon, head of the Civil Rights Division and Assistant Attorney General, stated, “Every university’s admission process must apply equally to all applicants, regardless of race.” She emphasized that running a separate admission process based on race is clearly illegal under federal law and that the department will not permit such practices at OSU Medical College or any federally funded institution.
According to the DOJ, the medical college had adopted a so-called “holistic approach” to increase admissions from underrepresented minority communities. This approach involved evaluating candidates across three categories: academic achievement (maximum 12 points), experience (maximum 16 points), and metrics (maximum 8 points), with an interview phase included in the process.
The investigation also looked into how candidates who completed the standard screening and interview processes were treated compared to those who were admitted without completing these steps. The DOJ plans to continue its investigation to ensure compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws. The department will first seek to resolve any issues through negotiation and settlement; if unsuccessful, legal action may follow.
