Hiltzik: Justice Department Attack on UCLA and Other Med Schools Shows It Has No Idea What Makes a Good Doctor

Why It Matters

The dispute could reshape how elite medical schools evaluate applicants, influencing both legal standards for DEI and the future diversity of the healthcare workforce.

Key Takeaways

• DOJ alleges UCLA, Yale use race in med school admissions
• Article argues MCAT scores alone don't predict physician competence
• Diversity linked to better outcomes for Black, Hispanic patients
• DOJ's case relies on flawed statistics and racial stereotypes
• Admissions value empathy, communication, leadership beyond test scores

Pulse Analysis

The Justice Department’s recent letters to the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Yale School of Medicine mark a new front in the federal crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Citing a 2023 Supreme Court decision that barred explicit racial preferences, the DOJ argues that any consideration of race in admissions violates the law. This move aligns with a broader political strategy to challenge DEI programs across higher education, positioning the agency as a watchdog against what it calls "woke" policies. The legal thrust, however, rests on a narrow interpretation of academic metrics, ignoring the holistic criteria that medical schools have long employed.

Medical school admissions have traditionally balanced quantitative measures—MCAT scores and undergraduate GPAs—with qualitative assessments such as interview performance, letters of recommendation, and demonstrated commitment to service. Research consistently shows that physicians who share cultural or racial backgrounds with patients can improve trust, communication, and even mortality rates for underserved communities. A 2023 study by experts at Yale, Harvard and Tufts found that Black and Hispanic doctors are more likely to practice primary care in high‑need areas, directly addressing health disparities. By dismissing these non‑academic factors, the DOJ’s argument overlooks evidence that diversity itself is a predictor of better health outcomes, not a peripheral concern.

If the DOJ’s challenge succeeds, medical schools may be forced to eliminate holistic review components, potentially narrowing the pipeline of physicians equipped to serve diverse populations. Legal battles could set precedents that reverberate beyond medicine, affecting all professional schools that incorporate DEI considerations. For institutions like UCLA and Yale, the stakes are both legal and ethical: maintaining rigorous academic standards while preserving the inclusive mission that underpins modern healthcare delivery. Stakeholders will be watching closely as courts weigh the balance between statutory interpretation and the practical realities of training competent, culturally competent doctors.