Real-life Doogie Howser becomes youngest black student EVER to be accepted by US medical school: 13-year-old prodigy, who will be qualified to treat patients when she’s 18, thanks mom for adopting and homeschooling her

Alena Analeigh Wicker, 13, was accepted into the University of Alabama’s Heersink School of Medicine class of 2024 in June
Her acceptance makes her the youngest black student ever accepted to medical school
She is currently finishing up a pair of degrees in biological sciences at Oakwood University and Arizona State University, after graduating from high school at 12

A 13-year-old girl from Texas has become the youngest black student ever accepted to medical school.

Alena Analeigh Wicker was accepted into the University of Alabama‘s Heersink School of Medicine class of 2024 in June, despite being over 10 years younger than the average medical student.

Her acceptance comes as she continues working through her degrees in the biological sciences at both Oakwood University and Arizona State University.

‘What is age?’ Alena told The Washington Post, ‘You’re not too young to do anything. I feel like I have proven to myself that I can do anything that I put my heart and mind to.’

Alena hard at work in the lab. She is currently completing a pair of biological science degrees from two universities

Alena Analeigh Wicker, 13, was accepted into the University of Alabama's Heersink School of Medicine class of 2024 — Alena Analeigh Wicker, 13, was accepted into the University of Alabama’s Heersink School of Medicine class of 2024

Alena at her high school graduation alongside Clayton Turner (left), director of NASA's Langley Research Center — Alena at her high school graduation alongside Clayton Turner (left), director of NASA’s Langley Research Center

Alena lives outside of Fort Worth, Texas, and does most of her coursework online.

She received her acceptance as a part of Heersink School of Medicine’s Early Assurance Program, which despite its title and Alena’s circumstance has nothing to do with accepting young applicants.

Instead, it is a highly selective and rigorous early acceptance program available for people who demonstrate a dedicated desire to enter the medical field.

She is due to complete her undergraduate degrees in the spring of 2024, and will begin medical school that fall.

She hopes that by 18 she will be a doctor.

Alena takes a power nap while working her way through some figures and calculations

Alena alognside Elaine Vanterpool, biology department chair at Oakwood University

In an Instagram post announcing her acceptance, she thanked her mother for her accomplishments.

‘A little black girl adopted from Fontana California. I’ve worked so hard to reach my goals and live my dreams. Mama, I made it. I couldn’t have done it without you.’

‘Mama I made it. I couldn’t have done it without you,’ Alena wrote, ‘You gave me every opportunity possible to be successful. You cheered me on, wiped my tears, gave me oreos when I needed comfort, you never allowed me to settle, disciplined me when I needed . You are the best mother a kid could ever ask for.’

Alena noted how slim her chances were of getting in to medical school, where the average acceptance rate is seven per cent, and only around seven per cent of those are black.

‘Statistics would have said I never would have made it. A little black girl adopted from Fontana California. I’ve worked so hard to reach my goals and live my dreams,’ she wrote in the post.

To people who say she is missing out on her childhood, Alena couldn’t agree less.

‘I don’t think I’m missing any part of my childhood. I get a childhood, and it’s amazing.’

Alena is a Lego fanatic, posting many of her building projects on her Instagram account, and says she loves cooking, singing, going to arcades with friends, and playing soccer.

Despite her mounting degrees, Alena says her success all comes down to focus.