Regents of the University of California v. Bakke

In 1977 Allan Bakke a 35-year-old Vietnam veteran was thrown into the spotlight by the American media. He had long dreamed of becoming a medical doctor and had applied to many prestigious schools, he was rejected by all of them. He had an above average score in school along with having prior medical knowledge due to his service in the military.

He had applied to the University of California twice and was rejected both times. The school claimed that this was due to his age and test scores. However, students with worse test scores and less experience than him where still being excepted regularly. This was due to a special admission program the school had that allowed for disadvantaged and students of color to be accepted into the school that had less qualifications.

Due to this Bakke believed he was being discriminated against because of his race and age. He sued the school in 1976 the California Federal court sided with him. However, because it was argued of the base of the 14th amendment it was taken to the supreme court. The court backed up the prior ruling of California’s Federal court and deemed the special admissions program unconstitutional. Saying that the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 14th amendment protected Bakke from this type of discrimination, along with making it unconstitutional for admissions of public university’s to have a quote system, and to be determined by race alone.

https://www.britannica.com/event/Bakke-decision