DURHAM, North Carolina — The Justice Department says Duke University School of Law unlawfully discriminated against white and Asian applicants in three recent admissions cycles, accusing the school of continuing race-conscious practices after the Supreme Court sharply restricted their use.
The Civil Rights Division said Duke’s 2023, 2024 and 2025 incoming classes were shaped by policies intended to preserve racial diversity. According to the department, Black applicants in 2025 were about 3.5 times more likely to be admitted than similarly qualified Asian applicants with comparable academic credentials.
The DOJ also said denied white and Asian applicants had higher median LSAT scores than admitted Black applicants in 2024 and 2025. Investigators pointed to internal emails and instructions to flag diversity essays, first-generation status and Pell Grant eligibility, arguing those factors could function as racial proxies.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said universities cannot circumvent the Supreme Court’s 2023 admissions ruling by using diversity essays to identify preferred racial groups.
Duke said it is reviewing the findings and remains committed to complying with federal law while maintaining its academic mission.
The department is seeking a voluntary resolution requiring Duke to change its admissions practices. If negotiations fail, DOJ says it is prepared to sue.
The case is the latest Trump administration challenge to university admissions policies following similar findings against several medical schools.
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