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Four Ways to Strengthen Your Medical School Application

6th August 2025: With schools coming to an end, aspiring medical students from India are facing the critical step of preparing for their medical school applications. This process requires lots of planning, dedication, and a strategic approach to stand out in the competitive field of medicine. Prospective students must focus on academic excellence, and develop strong personal statements that reflect their passion for healthcare. With the right preparation, students from India can position themselves for success in their medical school journey, paving the way for a future in medicine that aligns with the region’s growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals.

It’s no secret that admission to medical school can be competitive. You’re likely pretty familiar with the basic requirements such as maintaining a good GPA, achieving a strong ILETS score, and writing a compelling personal statement.

But if you want to push your medical school application beyond the ordinary, you’ll need to learn how to make each element as strong as possible.

St. George’s University, School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies had a discussion with Dr. Ryan Gray, founder of Medical School Headquarters, on ways students can strengthen their medical school applications. Dr. Gray has advised countless students who’ve gained acceptance to medical school and here, provides some of his best application tips.

How to make your medical school application stand out

Dr. Gray explains that the best way to build an impressive application is to avoid looking at medical school requirements as a rigid list of boxes you’ll need to check.

The following strategies can make a big impact during the MD program application process:

1. Focus on school first

The road to medical school is long. There are several aspects that make up a completed application, and some of them take a considerable amount of time. One of the most helpful pieces of advice Dr. Gray offers to pre-med students is to pace yourself.

Medical schools seek students capable of handling the program’s rigorous academic demands. While GPA isn’t the sole factor, it remains significant, with 3.5 being the average GPA for regional students accepted into medical students. To improve or maintain your GPA, Dr. Gray advises learning effective time management and study methods early on. Once you have strong grades, you can focus on other application requirements.

2. Demonstrate what you’re passionate about

Realistically, you know you’ll be applying to medical school among a sea of other students who have also obtained strong GPAs, impressive test scores, and have a range of related experiences. In that environment, you can let your unique passions and interests shine through to stand out from the other applicants. Your personal statement can be a great place to highlight the things you’re passionate about and demonstrate your leadership and analytical skills.

Dr. Gray advises students to try to focus more on what they enjoy and that will make the application and interview a little different and create conversation.

Medical schools look for a range of different qualities in promising applicants, from social skills to critical-thinking abilities to cultural competence. Whether you’re interested in music, sports, working with children, supporting community issues, or anything in between, there are numerous ways you can showcase the characteristics they’re seeking.

3. Embrace Imperfection:

There are many unwritten rules pre-med students think they need to abide by, but it’s helpful to maintain some perspective. While schools scrutinize your grades and test scores, that doesn’t mean you need to be perfect. In fact, an increasing number of medical schools have been adopting a holistic review process. If you happen to have a bad semester or a bad year because you’re away from home, you can still make the best out of your medical career and thrive through the challenges.

4. Importance of English Proficiency:

For international applicants, one other key element to consider is the performance on an English language test, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam. Your IELTS score can have an impact on your MD program admission because it demonstrates the ability to use English competently – critical for the study and practice of medicine in an international setting.

Prepare for your future as a physician

There’s no denying how challenging it can be to get into medical school. But with this advice on how to make your medical school application stand out, you should feel ready to put your best foot forward.

IRM India Affiliate Licenses Mahindra University to Launch South India’s First Global Centre for Enterprise Risk Management

Hyderabad, August 6, 2025 — The Institute of Risk Management (IRM) India Affiliate, the Indian arm of the world’s leading certifying body for Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) exams across 140 countries, has announced a strategic collaboration with Mahindra University to establish South India’s first Global Centre for ERM. This significant partnership highlights the increasing demand for structured and internationally benchmarked risk education in the region, particularly amidst today’s volatile and interconnected global environment, as disclosed in a press note issued in the city today.

The Centre was officially launched a couple of days back by Mr. Anand Mahindra, Chancellor, in the presence of Dr. Yajulu Medury, Vice-Chancellor, Mr. Hersh Shah, CEO, IRM India Affiliate, Dr. Shivdasini S Amin, Head- Global Centre for Enterprise Risk Management, faculty, and students.

The newly established Centre will act as a dedicated hub for advancing IRM’s globally recognised ERM qualifications, risk-focused research, faculty development, and capacity building. It aims to nurture a new generation of risk-intelligent leaders capable of helping organisations across sectors anticipate and navigate complex challenges across industries.

Designed with a focus on academic excellence and practical engagement, the Centre will feature expansive physical and digital infrastructure to support continuous learning. It will house a curated collection of over 150 books and publications spanning risk management, strategy, governance, and leadership. An integrated online knowledge resource centre developed by IRM India will provide access to case studies, global risk reports, and white papers. To foster professional connections and peer learning, the Centre will include a networking arena for students, executives, and faculty to engage with visiting experts and industry leaders. As a tribute to global thought leadership, a Hall of Fame will celebrate notable risk influencers from around the world. Additionally, the Centre will feature a comprehensive risk taxonomy that provides structured classifications and definitions of over 300 types of enterprise risks, supporting academic, research, and industry applications.

Through this collaboration, Mahindra University, with the support of IRM India, will train students, professionals, and senior executives in ERM competencies aligned with IRM’s Global Level 1 curriculum. The Centre will also function as a regional think tank, driving research on emerging risk areas such as cyber threats, ESG exposures, climate change, geopolitical instability, and supply chain resilience. Faculty development programmes, policy advocacy, and sector-specific thought leadership will amplify the Centre’s impact across academia and industry.

Speaking at the launch of the Centre, Mr. Anand Mahindra, Chancellor, Mahindra University, said, “At Mahindra University, we believe that future-readiness is the cornerstone of education. Our partnership with the Institute of Risk Management – India Affiliate is more than an academic collaboration — it is a statement of intent to nurture leaders who can navigate uncertainty with insight, resilience, and integrity. The IRM India Affiliate Centre at MU will serve as a crucible for research, learning, and thought leadership in risk management—an area that is no longer optional, but essential for sustainable progress.”

Dr. Yajulu Medury, Vice-Chancellor, Mahindra University, added, “The launch of the IRM India Affiliate Centre at Mahindra University is a forward-looking initiative that reinforces our interdisciplinary approach to education. This partnership aligns with our long-term vision of promoting academic excellence, industry-relevant skills, and internationalisation under the National Education Policy 2020. By embedding risk management into the core of academic inquiry and practice, we are equipping our students to become strategic thinkers and responsible decision-makers. We are proud to collaborate with IRM India Affiliate in creating a new generation of professionals who will shape resilient organisations and societies.

Mr. Hersh Shah, CEO of IRM India Affiliate and India’s Youngest Enterprise Risk Expert, stated, “Our collaboration with Mahindra University marks a pivotal step in democratising access to high-quality risk management education in India. South India is home to dynamic industries such as information technology, manufacturing, infrastructure, finance, defence, and logistics—sectors that face an increasingly complex risk landscape. The establishment of this Centre reflects a shared commitment to developing risk-intelligent individuals and organisations — a vital step toward building a resilient world. May every individual who walks these halls be inspired to lead with foresight, responsibility, and purpose.”

Mahindra University has already demonstrated a strong track record in preparing students for IRM’s global ERM exams since 2021. The launch of the Global Centre for ERM further elevates its role as a regional anchor for risk education and leadership. The Centre will collaborate closely with industry bodies, regulators, and corporate partners to ensure academic offerings remain contextually relevant and aligned with real-world needs. It will also provide a range of programmes in collaboration with IRM India to enhance governance and strategic risk capabilities across the public and private sectors. This partnership represents a significant contribution to India’s broader vision of building a resilient, risk-ready nation powered by risk-intelligent leadership and international collaboration.