“It did kind of hurt because I worked hard to get the grades that I got,” McQuarter told the outlet. “Someone comes and tells you, ‘You can’t do this because you’re too young or you’re a girl of color.’ I really wanted to show her that I can get good grades and I can go on and do amazing things. So I’m proving that.”

Despite hearing such discouraging words, McQuarter has pushed forward with her academics. She plans to apply to another medical school in the fall to pursue a doctorate and study viral immunology with a focus on infectious diseases.

Alena McQuarter

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