Regents Of Univ. Of California v. Bakke

438 U.S. 265 (1978)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

This case presents a challenge to the special admissions program by the Medical School of the Univ. of California at Davis, which is designed to assure the admission of a specified number of students from certain minority groups. The Medical School reserved 16 out of 100 places in its entering class for members of minority groups; blacks, Chicanos, Asians, and American Indians. A separate committee was established to administer this special admissions program. This procedure was challenged by Bakke (P), a white applicant who was rejected even though in both years he applied, applicants were admitted under the special program with grade point averages, MCAT scores, and benchmark scores significantly lower than P's. The University asserted, among goals justifying the program, integrating the medical profession and increasing the number of physicians willing to serve members of minority groups. The state supreme court held that equal protection required that no applicant may be rejected because of his race, in favor of another who is less qualified, as measured by standards applied without regard to race. The state supreme court held the program unlawful, enjoined petitioner from considering the race of any applicant, and ordered P's admission.