Becoming Dr. Roldan - Atlantis Fellowship

My name is Cynthia Roldan, I am currently an English and Pre-med double major at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. I am a volunteer research assistant, and a volunteer at the Indiana Regional Medical Center. I am also part of Theta Phi Alpha, a sorority dedicated to helping those from low-income areas.

Ever since high school I found a passion in helping people, as I tutored my classmates throughout my highschool career, delivered food to those in quarantine with COVID-19, and taught international students about English language and American culture during my college career. Though, I hadn't planned on becoming a doctor until recently as I was not exposed to any doctors that had low-income backgrounds like myself. Still, I knew I had a calling.

A friend of mine expressed interest in becoming a psychiatrist, with her applying her time to being a chair in her sorority, excelling in classes in her preferred specialty, and aiming as high as possible to get into her dream school. Although she was like me and grew up from humble beginnings, it was through her that I found that anyone has the tools to become a doctor. With this new information, inspiration was ignited inside me to do everything in my power to become a physician as well.

As becoming a doctor means I would need to attend medical school, it also means I have to undergo an incredibly competitive admission system. To put it in perspective, 55,188 students applied to med school during the 2022-2023 admission cycle, and only 22,712 enrolled. Which leaves 32,476 students waiting until the next admission cycle to apply to med school again. This is where the Atlantis program comes in.

Atlantis is a program where pre-med students shadow doctors abroad while still gaining hospital experience, practicing another language, and learning about how another culture does medicine. This experience cultivates resiliency and adaptability, two skills that are crucial in impressing med school admission committees. With Atlantis alumni being admitted to 40 of the top 50 U.S. MD programs (with 20 of those programs being the top 50 med schools on the planet).

I have been given the privilege to be accepted into such a prestigious program. With my program starting June 22nd, and ending July 12th.

However, in order to get closer to my dream of becoming a physician becoming a reality, I need your help. The program itself costs $4,999 (not including flight and meal costs). If you want to support a future physician, I would greatly appreciate any donation, big or small.

Thank you so much for reading! I will share my experience abroad via my social media and would love to answer any questions you may have in the meantime! Again, thank you so much for your time!

Learn more about Atlantis here: https://joinatlantis.com/about/