Trump Administration Probes Admissions at 3 Medical Schools

Investigations opened into policies at Stanford, Ohio State, and UC San Diego

Mar. 26, 2026 at 9:54pm

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The Trump administration has launched investigations into the admissions policies of three major medical schools - Stanford University, Ohio State University, and the University of California, San Diego. The Justice Department informed the schools about the probes on Wednesday, according to the New York Times.

Why it matters

The investigations signal the administration's continued focus on affirmative action and diversity initiatives in higher education, which have been a source of controversy and legal battles. The outcome could impact admissions practices at some of the country's top medical programs.

The details

The specific details and focus of the investigations are not yet clear, but they come amid the administration's broader efforts to scrutinize the use of race in college admissions. The Justice Department has previously challenged affirmative action policies at schools like Harvard University.

  • The investigations were opened on Wednesday, March 26, 2026.

The players

Stanford University

A prestigious private research university located in California.

Ohio State University

A large public research university based in Columbus, Ohio.

University of California, San Diego

A public research university and one of the ten campuses in the University of California system, located in San Diego, California.

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What’s next

The specific details and outcomes of the investigations remain to be seen, but they are likely to be closely watched given the administration's past actions on affirmative action policies.

The takeaway

These investigations underscore the ongoing debate over the role of race in college admissions, an issue that has significant implications for the diversity of the nation's top medical schools and the future physician workforce.