Justice Department says Duke Law School illegally considered race in admissions
Summary
The U.S. Department of Justice accused Duke University’s law school of illegally using race as a factor in admissions, despite claiming to be race-neutral. This follows a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that banned affirmative action in college admissions. The DOJ is seeking a settlement with Duke Law.Key Facts
- The Justice Department said Duke Law used personal essays and first-generation college status as indirect ways to consider race.
- Duke Law said it is reviewing the DOJ letter and wants to follow the law while maintaining its academic goals.
- The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division said using diversity essays to favor certain races is illegal discrimination.
- Affirmative action in college admissions was banned by the Supreme Court in 2023.
- The DOJ found Black and Hispanic applicants were more likely admitted than white and Asian applicants with similar academic records.
- In 2024 and 2025, rejected white and Asian applicants had higher median Law School Admissions Test scores than admitted Black applicants.
- The DOJ also found similar race-based admissions issues at Yale and UCLA medical schools and is investigating others.
- The DOJ under President Trump has focused on enforcing the ban on affirmative action and targeting schools for compliance.
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