Med Student Alleges ‘Reverse Discrimination’ Cost Him Admissions

Applying for med school is a big deal. A great deal of preparation and studying goes into taking entrance exams, selecting schools, and meticulously completing applications – and then comes the excruciating process of waiting to find out whether you’ve been accepted to any of your top choices. When you’ve applied to med school, there’s also an element of trust involved – you take it on good faith that the school will consider your qualifications fairly, looking at objective markers of competence such as your GPA and test scores without considering other factors such as race, ethnicity, or gender. However, sometimes discriminatory practices can play a role in an applicant’s success, making the whole process seem unfair.

Illegally Considering Race and Gender in Med School Applications

While instances of discrimination in higher education toward women or minorities based on gender or race are well documented and rightly receive scrutiny and condemnation, sometimes policies put in place to right these wrongs can do more harm than good. Recently a white man named George Stewart pursued legal action against six medical schools in Texas, claiming they illegally considered his race and gender when rejecting his application. Stewart says his 3.96 GPA from the University of Texas at Austin and 511 out of a possible 528 on the medical college admissions test put him above many Black, Hispanic, and female students who also applied. With such stellar qualifications, Stewart clearly felt he should have been accepted to med school.

At the same time as Stewart’s lawsuit, the United States Supreme Court is considering the constitutionality of affirmative action, which aims to ensure the inclusion of certain underrepresented groups based on gender, race, sexuality, creed, or nationality. While the goal of affirmative action is admirable, and it has doubtless created invaluable opportunities for many individuals, it is an imperfect policy that does not always work as intended. Sometimes more qualified applicants may be passed up in favor of a member of an underrepresented group – and in these cases, everyone loses.

This type of “reverse discrimination” against a member of the majority group is also illegal. If you’ve been denied admission to med school despite your stellar qualifications, you may have grounds to pursue legal action. Contact the LLF National Law Firm today to discuss your case.

How an Advisor Can Help

Because proving discrimination in the med school application process can be an overwhelming and cumbersome process, it is important to consult an experienced education attorney before you get started. The LLF National Law Firm are dedicated to ensuring institutions of higher education are accountable to students like you – and they have helped hundreds of students across the country achieve the justice they deserve. If you’ve been treated unfairly during your med school application process or experienced “reverse discrimination” based on your race or gender, don’t give up hope. Call 888.535.3686 or contact us online today to discuss the next steps in your case.