Maria’s dream beats with purpose—literally. She aspires to become a heart surgeon, driven by a deep passion for medicine and a desire to make a difference in people’s lives.
Born in the United States but raised in the Dominican Republic, Maria grew up surrounded by a close-knit family who instilled in her the values of resilience, hard work, and compassion. When her dad experienced a medical event that damaged his heart, she set her goal to attend medical school.
When she realized that studying in the U.S. would give her the best chance at attending medical school, she made the courageous decision to leave her parents behind and move to Boston for high school. Now living with her aunt and cousins, Maria is fully committed to her education, knowing that every class, every challenge, and every sacrifice is a step closer to achieving her dream.
Maria’s cousin attends CRB, so it was Maria’s obvious choice. She recalls learning about the Corporate Work Study program and feeling nervous about the expectations. However, after experiencing it firsthand, she realizes how powerful the program is.
Wanting to become a surgeon, she requested to be placed in a hospital setting and work at Massachusetts General Brigham Hospital. Maria exclaimed, “I love working there. It’s inspiring to see the doctors and nurses in action, and very powerful to visualize myself someday in that setting.”
A top student in the class of 2025, Maria is a member of the volleyball team and part of a panel that meets prospective students. She has been accepted to several prestigious universities, such as The College of the Holy Cross, Northeastern University, Providence College and University of Connecticut. Still, she is waiting to hear from all the schools she applied to and see the financial aid packages before making her final decision.
Reflecting on her journey, Maria recalls many moments when it all seemed too hard, and the urge to return to the DR and her parents overwhelmed her. She noted, “First year was difficult, and I felt very anxious. The next year, I focused on my mental health and worked on regaining my confidence.” She continued, “Now, when I look back, I see how far I’ve come and am proud of myself. It inspires and motivates me – knowing I’m ready for the challenge of college and medical school.”
Her advice for incoming first-year students is simple – “Trust yourself. Take advantage of every opportunity, and always put your best effort into your work. It pays off. Be on top of your entire experience at Cristo Rey Boston, and doors will open for you!”
Maria’s journey is not just about personal ambition—it’s about the people she hopes to help in the future. With determination in her heart and a scalpel in her future, Maria is on a path to change lives, one heartbeat at a time.