The US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has opened formal investigations into the admissions practices of five medical schools, saying the reviews concern alleged racial discrimination in how candidates are selected.
Which institutions are under review
The department named the following schools in its statement:
- Dartmouth College Geisel School of Medicine
- East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine
- St. Louis University School of Medicine
- Western University of Health Sciences
- William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine
| School | Type |
|---|---|
| Dartmouth College Geisel School of Medicine | Medical school (Ivy League college) |
| East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine | Public university medical school |
| St. Louis University School of Medicine | Private university medical school |
| Western University of Health Sciences | Health sciences university |
| William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine | Osteopathic medical college |
Scope and context
The Education Department’s statement said the probes were connected to complaints alleging racial discrimination in admissions. It did not, however, provide supporting evidence or further details about the specific allegations.
Officials emphasised the reviews form part of a broader federal push under President Donald Trump’s administration to reassess diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across public and private sectors. The administration has taken a number of actions challenging race-conscious admissions and other diversity programmes.
"casts diversity goals as anti-merit and as discriminatory against groups like white people and men"
Responses from the institutions
East Carolina University told local media it complies with state and federal law and relevant court rulings and will respond to the Education Department’s inquiry.
Dartmouth College also stated it has confidence in its admissions procedures. No further comments from the other named institutions were included in the department’s release.
Wider implications for higher education
The investigations arrive after the US Supreme Court’s 2023 decision that struck down race-aware admissions policies at Harvard and the University of North Carolina. Civil rights groups and university leaders have warned that federal scrutiny of diversity initiatives could affect access to higher education for under-represented groups, including ethnic minorities, women and LGBTQ+ applicants.
Advocates for the critics of such policies argue they amount to discrimination against other groups; supporters counter that diversity measures aim to remedy longstanding inequities in education and ensure representation in professions such as medicine.
The Education Department’s move mirrors related actions by the US Department of Justice, which has previously opened civil rights reviews of medical school admissions. Observers say continued federal probes can influence university policy, legal strategies and future admissions cycles.
For prospective medical students and parents, the unfolding inquiries may signal shifts to application priorities and admissions transparency in the coming months. Institutions under investigation will be expected to cooperate with federal enquiries and may need to produce admissions records and policy documentation as part of the process.
