DOJ Investigates Admissions at 3 Medical Schools

The Trump administration’s investigations and demands for admissions data have extended beyond undergraduate colleges and universities, The New York Times reports. Now, the Department of Justice is requesting years’ worth of information about applicants at major medical schools.

The three institutions currently under investigation—Stanford University, Ohio State University and the University of California, San Diego—have been asked to turn over the reports by April 24. If they don’t, according to the Times, the DOJ says federal funding for their professional programs could be on the line.

As of Thursday afternoon, the Trump administration has yet to publicly announce such an investigation, though each institution confirmed it had received the data requests. The Times cited two administration officials familiar with the documents reviewed. It also cites a photo on social media in which Harmeet K. Dhillon, the Justice Department’s assistant attorney general for civil rights, can be seen signing letters. A zoomed-in version shows one of the letters is addressed to Ohio State’s College of Medicine.

“Launching a series of civil rights investigations,” Dhillon’s post says. “Another day in paradise!”

Stanford declined to provide further comment. UC San Diego said it was “committed to fair processes in all of [its] programs and activities.” And Ohio State said it was “fully compliant with all state and federal regulations and legal rulings regarding admissions.”

Sources familiar with the inquiry told the Times that the DOJ requested information about applicants’ test scores, ZIP codes, relationships to alumni and ties to donors, dating back seven years. The department is also seeking any correspondence between the administration, admissions staff and pharmaceutical companies regarding diversity, equity and inclusion.