UW-Madison Medical School data shows racial disparities in admissions

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 odds. According to university data, Black and Hispanic applicants with the same MCAT scores and GPAs as White or Asian applicants faced higher probabilities of admission. Specifically, a Hispanic or Black applicant had nearly four times the odds of admission compared to an Asian applicant with identical academic metrics.

While the data suggests certain groups may be favored, it does not definitively establish discrimination. The university utilizes a holistic admissions process, meaning disparities could stem from variables such as essays, letters of recommendation, or life experiences. Additionally, the dataset does not account for specific admission pathways, such as the Wisconsin Academy for Rural Medicine, which utilize different criteria.

University spokesman John Lucas stated that the admission process focuses on academic preparation and an applicant’s likelihood of success in rigorous programs. He maintained that admission standards “fully comply with the law” and asserted that “no student is admitted on the basis of their race/ethnicity/identity.”