University of Wisconsin medical school data shows racial admission disparities

Data from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (UWSMPH) regarding the 2025 admission cycle indicates racial and ethnic disparities in admission rates. According to the university’s internal information system, Black and Hispanic applicants had higher odds of admission than White or Asian applicants when comparing candidates with identical MCAT scores and grade point averages. Specifically, a Hispanic or Black applicant had nearly four times the odds of admission compared to an Asian applicant with the same academic metrics.

University spokesperson John Lucas stated that the admission process is holistic and focuses on an applicant’s likelihood of success throughout the program. He maintained that admission standards fully comply with the law and that no student is admitted based on race, ethnicity, or identity. The university noted that because of the holistic review process, disparities could be attributed to factors such as essays, letters of recommendation, or life experiences rather than race alone.