HONOLULU (KHON2) — Alnor “Aljay” Carnate, Jr.’s journey to medical school was anything but straightforward. Born in the Philippines, Carnate immigrated to Hawai‘i at the age of five.
Growing up in a low-income community, Carnate faced many obstacles, from limited resources to a lack of guidance. But it was the loss of his grandmother to metastatic cancer that ignited his passion for medicine.
“When we found out my grandma had cancer, it was already too late,” Carnate recalled. “Seeing her struggle and realizing how hard it was for us to access treatment made me want to ensure people from disadvantaged communities have access to care.”
Carnate’s path to medicine wasn’t clear-cut.
As a first-generation college student from a low-income background, he struggled to navigate the educational system.
“I didn’t have a mentor to guide me in that direction,” he said. “It was a lot of figuring out for myself.”
He described feeling overwhelmed by the process of applying to medical school after graduating from college. With no clear guidance, he missed the deadlines and had to figure out what to do next.
He turned to Teach for America, teaching at his alma mater, Waipahu High School, for two years. There, Carnate taught students with learning disabilities and severe health conditions, which reignited his desire to pursue medicine.
“I saw how these students’ health conditions affected their ability to learn, and I wanted to be able to help,” he explained.
After his experience teaching, Carnate was determined to pursue medical school and applied to the ʻImi Hoʻōla program at JABSOM.
The ʻImi Hoʻōla (“Those Who Seek to Heal”) program at JABSOM is a post-baccalaureate program designed to support aspiring medical students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
It offers a year-long intensive curriculum focused on basic sciences, critical thinking and communication skills. Successful graduates gain entry into JABSOM’s MD program, providing a pathway to diversify the medical field and improve healthcare in underserved communities.
However, Carnate was not accepted on his first attempt, which left him feeling discouraged.
“I got the rejection, and I was devastated,” he shared in the interview.
Wanting to improve his chances, he reached out to the admissions coordinator to seek advice on how to strengthen his application for the next cycle. She suggested gaining experience in medical research, which led him to a position at a cancer clinic.
“She told me that, ‘maybe you should try some research opportunities,’” Carnate recalled.
Following this guidance, he joined a medical research team at the clinic, where he gained valuable hands-on experience working with patients and understanding the medical field in a more profound way.
Carnate transitioned into working at the cancer clinic; and after two years, he applied to medical school again, only to face rejection again.
“I was devastated,” he admitted. “I wanted to go into medicine, but there was nothing offering me a position.” Instead of giving up, Carnate sought advice from a director of admissions, who encouraged him to further his research experience.
This advice ultimately helped him build a stronger application.
“I know these rejections happened for a reason,” confided Carnate. And he was right.
His persistence paid off when he landed a position as a research coordinator at an HIV research lab. A month into his new job, his principal investigator asked if he’d be willing to move to New York City to help build a new research lab at Cornell University.
Carnate, who had never lived outside Hawai‘i, decided to take the leap.
“I anticipated living in Hawai‘i my whole life, but this opportunity to move to New York and try something new came up,” remembered Carnate “So, I said, ‘Why not?’”
So, he packed his bags and moved to New York. As luck would have it, he met his partner while in New York. But this experience would prove to be bittersweet.
The timing for the move, however, was less than ideal. Shortly after his move to New York, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and life in New York City became isolating. Away from family and friends, Carnate found himself struggling mentally and emotionally.
“It took a toll on me, navigating life in a pandemic by myself without that support,” he shared. Yet, the pandemic also strengthened his resolve to pursue medicine. “Seeing how it disproportionately affected disadvantaged communities, I knew my calling to medicine was still there.”
Although Carnate had moved away from his home, he kept applying to the ʻImi Hoʻōla program. And his luck was about to change.
Carnate applied to medical school and the ʻImi Hoʻōla program again but faced more setbacks. Despite being waitlisted, he wasn’t accepted. This time, however, he decided not to see it as a defeat.
“Things happen for a reason,” he reflected. “I think I was meant to meet my partner in New Jersey during this time.” His optimism kept him going, and he continued to build his resume with clinical research, gaining more patient interaction, which reminded him why he wanted to become a doctor.
By the third attempt, Carnate was accepted into the ʻImi Hoʻōla.
“I was walking the dog when I got the email, and I just started crying,” he said, describing the moment he learned he was accepted. “It was a mix of happiness because I finally got in, and sadness because I knew it meant I’d have to leave my partner and do a long-distance relationship.”
In reflecting on these experiences that led him that moment, Carnate spoke openly about his battles with imposter syndrome, a psychological pattern where one doubts their accomplishments and fears being exposed as a “fraud”.
These feelings intensified when he moved to New York and worked at Cornell University, surrounded by people who seemed to have everything figured out.
“I felt it a lot more in New York City,” he said. “Working in a prestigious institution like Cornell made me wonder, ‘Am I really good enough? Do I belong here?’”
He first learned about the concept of imposter syndrome during his time with Teach for America.
“I didn’t know what it was at first. But when I heard the term, I realized that’s what I was feeling,” Carnate shared. Knowing that his feelings were valid and not unique to him was a turning point.’
How did imposter syndrome impact Carnate in light of his rejections from both JABSOM and ʻImi Hoʻōla?
“I never thought I was going to get into med school” reflected Carnate on his feelings of self-doubt and imposter syndrome throughout his journey to becoming a medical student.
But he forged ahead with his plans not allowing the feelings of being an imposter and a fraud deter him from his goals.
After completing the rigorous post-baccalaureate program, Carnate felt a mix of emotions—pride, relief and disbelief.
“It was the most emotional night for me. Completing the program and getting into medical school was the most rewarding thing,” he said.
Reflecting on his five-year journey filled with rejections, persistence and resilience, he added, “I finally did it. I remained resilient till the end, and that’s what allowed me to be here today.”
Carnate’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and believing in oneself.
As he began his first semester of medical school in July, he has felt a deep sense of gratitude and excitement.
“It’s a dream come true. I remind myself every day that I did it, I’m here,” he said. Surrounded by his classmates, whom he called his “‘Ohana,” he felt a strong sense of purpose and community.
He hopes that his story will inspire others, especially those who feel there isn’t a place for them in fields like medicine.
“I want to share my story because I know there are many people with similar backgrounds to me—first-generation, low-income, LGBTQ+—who feel like there’s no space for us. But there are spaces where we belong,” Carnate emphasized. “Never give up. Always believe in yourself.”
Carnate’s journey to medical school was challenging, but his story is a powerful reminder that with persistence, resilience and a belief in oneself, truly anything is possible.
“I just hope that someone can, like, see the story and just remind themselves that they can do it if they put their heart and mind to it and just never give up to always believe in yourself,” concluded Carnate.
KHON2.com wishes you the best, Carnate; and we look forward to seeing you grow in the community leader you are destined to become.
You can click here to learn more about JABSOM’s ʻImi Hoʻōla program.
You can watch Carnate’s full interview in the video above.