Pooja’s Unexpected Perks at SIPA

Here’s what everything graduate school at SIPA will include: rigorous classes, networking, and opportunities to work with the greats. Although it is all those things, SIPA also has some unexpected perks. 

For example, the social life here is incredible. I don’t just mean NYC social life but also SIPA specifically. I always tell incoming applicants that you could have a social event every evening of their time here if you wanted to. While I don’t recommend overfilling your schedule, the ability to attend social events that do not have the pressure of networking is a gift. When SIPA students go out socially together, it doesn’t matter how much more work experience someone might have than you. Our community doesn’t have a pretentious dependency on hierarchy, which is unique. Everyone is socially equal whether you are twenty years out of undergrad or straight from it. 

SIPA is incredibly international. Although many programs are global, SIPA provides space for cultural groups to leave their natural cliques and interact more closely with one another. International students' common experience is feeling most comfortable within their groups. This is natural as moving to a new country can be exhausting, particularly if English is not your first language. However, through cultural events and many international students, SIPA has a unique culture of incredibly diverse friend groups. It is encouraged to seek comfort in friendships with those who are just like you but equally encouraged to be with those different than yourself. The real perk is that you will have friends to visit worldwide!

The classes are small. I understand that you can find this on an admissions brochure, but it means something entirely different when you realize that the small classes are led by professors who care deeply about their students. They don’t just care about their work. They care about YOU. It is a gift to have professors who respect all of their students and genuinely want to see you succeed. Professors will speak to you about professional opportunities and how you are. When you are an adult, it can be hard to find people who take the time to care for you. SIPA professors care. That’s just who they are. 

You will have flexibility. Your schedule is, in most cases, up to you. Beyond the core requirements, you can give yourself Mondays off if you hate Mondays! If you want to sleep in daily, you can ensure all your classes meet after lunch! SIPAs extensive class offerings mean your graduate school experience can have different seasons. Some semesters can be focused on deep work, while in others, you can (and should) take fewer classes to focus on rest and social life. Rather than consistently being easy or consistently being difficult, SIPA allows you to shape your own experience.