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For many students who dream of studying medicine, the question isn't just how do I get into medical school? It's also how do I prepare myself for a career that demands resilience, leadership and compassion?
For Jiya Shah, from XWA's Class of 2026, the answer was never about focusing on academics alone. During her years at XWA, she built a well-rounded profile by combining academic excellence with meaningful leadership, service and real-world experiences. Today, she holds multiple university offers, giving her the opportunity to pursue her passion for medicine with confidence.
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Finding Purpose Beyond the Classroom
From the moment she joined XWA, Jiya was determined to make the most of every opportunity available to her.
Alongside developing a strong academic foundation, she discovered interests that extended well beyond the classroom. Medicine remained her long-term ambition, but she also cultivated a love for the arts and community service.
One of the experiences that had the biggest impact on her was launching a Red Cross fundraising and awareness initiative in Grade 9. Rather than treating it as a one-off event, Jiya expanded the campaign every year, introducing new ideas and encouraging greater community participation.
"It helped me become a leader and create something meaningful for our community," she reflects.
She also founded the World Scholar's Cup Club at XWA, growing it into a thriving student organisation where members competed internationally, including at Yale University in 2024. Leading these initiatives strengthened her confidence while teaching her how to bring people together around a common goal.
Building Skills That Matter for Medicine
Academic achievement is only one part of becoming a future doctor.
Looking back, Jiya believes the experiences she gained through student leadership helped her develop qualities that will stay with her throughout her career.
Organising school initiatives taught her resilience. Coordinating events required careful planning, clear communication and the ability to overcome unexpected challenges. She also learned the importance of collaboration, recognising that successful outcomes are rarely achieved alone.
These transferable skills, she believes, are just as valuable in medicine as they are in everyday life.
Discovering a Passion for Healthcare
Jiya's decision to pursue medicine wasn't shaped by a single defining moment.
Instead, it developed gradually through hospital shadowing experiences that gave her first-hand insight into the daily work of healthcare professionals. These experiences helped confirm that medicine was the right path for her.
At the same time, conversations with her teachers at XWA broadened her perspective.
Learning from educators with diverse experiences encouraged her to think more deeply about her future and the kind of professional she wanted to become.
Support Throughout the University Application Journey
Applying to competitive medical programmes can feel overwhelming, particularly when balancing coursework, extracurricular commitments and university applications at the same time.
For Jiya, the support from XWA's University and Career Guidance team made a significant difference.
The team helped her clarify her academic goals, navigate application requirements and manage the many logistical steps involved in applying to universities across different countries.
Perhaps most importantly, they provided consistent encouragement throughout the process.
"There was always somebody I could go to whenever I had questions," she says. "Having that support system made a huge difference."
When her university offers finally arrived, it marked the perfect conclusion to years of hard work.
Receiving multiple offers was not only a proud achievement for Jiya but also for her family, giving her the exciting opportunity to choose from several excellent universities around the world.
Overcoming Challenges Along the Way
Like every high-achieving student, Jiya faced moments when balancing academic deadlines, leadership commitments and university applications felt challenging.
However, she never had to face those challenges alone.
She credits the supportive XWA community, from teachers to classmates, for helping her stay motivated during demanding periods.
Knowing there were always people willing to offer guidance, encouragement or simply listen made the journey much more manageable.
Advice for Future Medical Students
For students hoping to study medicine, Jiya offers one piece of advice above everything else:
Explore widely before committing to your career path.
Whether it's shadowing doctors in hospitals or learning about completely different professions, gaining real-world exposure helps students make informed decisions about their future.
Medicine is a demanding profession, and understanding both its rewards and challenges before applying is invaluable.
She also encourages students to take advantage of every opportunity their school provides.
Joining clubs, participating in competitions, leading initiatives and serving the community all contribute to personal growth while helping students develop the confidence, communication and leadership skills that universities value.
A Journey Built on Curiosity, Leadership and Opportunity
Jiya's story reflects what is possible when students embrace every opportunity available to them.
Her journey wasn't defined by grades alone. It was shaped by leadership, service, resilience and a genuine desire to keep learning both inside and outside the classroom.
As she prepares to begin the next chapter of her medical journey, she leaves behind an inspiring example for future XWA students who aspire to make a difference in healthcare and beyond.
As Jiya prepares to begin the next chapter of her journey, her story joins a growing list of XWA student success stories. From the outstanding IBDP results achieved by the Class of 2026 to graduates like Wenqi Jing (Mark) earning a full scholarship to UCL and Shivani Nair securing a scholarship to ESSEC Business School, these achievements reflect the ambition, resilience and personalised support that define the XWA experience.
If you're interested in seeing how XWA supports students on their own unique paths, we invite you to take our guided virtual tour or book a personalised visit to experience the XWA community first-hand.
