A recent report from Do No Harm (DNH), a non-profit organization advocating against identity politics in medicine, raises concerns about medical schools potentially circumventing the 2023 Supreme Court decision prohibiting race as an admissions factor. DNH, representing medical professionals, students, and patients, asserts that some institutions appear to be maintaining race-conscious admissions despite the ruling.
The report, "Skirting SCOTUS: How medical schools will continue to practice racially conscious admissions," analyzes MCAT and admissions data, acknowledging limitations due to the lack of school-specific data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Excluding public universities in states where affirmative action was already prohibited, the report highlights four out of thirteen schools with transparent demographic data that saw an increase in Black or Hispanic student representation between the 2027 and 2028 incoming classes.
DNH suggests that the extent of prior reliance on affirmative action influences the significance of demographic shifts. The report specifically points to Quinnipiac, Maryland, Chicago, and Duke as institutions warranting further examination, citing their higher admission rates for Black and Hispanic students compared to their representation in the applicant pool (13% in 2024), coupled with lower average GPAs and MCAT scores among these admitted students. DNH interprets this as a potential indicator of continued race-based preferential treatment.
Ian Kingsbury, DNH's research director, expressed concern over the apparent disregard for the Supreme Court's decision. He linked the data to public statements from some medical schools reaffirming their commitment to diversity in admissions, suggesting a potential conflict with the ruling. The report also notes the decreased transparency in admissions data following the Supreme Court decision, raising questions about whether this is intentional obfuscation.
Kingsbury emphasized the ongoing need for vigilance against racial discrimination in higher education. The 2023 Supreme Court ruling stemmed from lawsuits by Students for Fair Admissions against Harvard and the University of North Carolina, alleging discriminatory practices. Fox News Digital contacted the AAMC and the mentioned universities for comment. The AAMC responded by directing attention to their 2024 data on medical school applications and enrollment, highlighting their commitment to diversifying the physician workforce.
