Maxim's Message for Future SIPA Students

Dear future SIPA students,

Whether you have been accepted and committed to coming here, whether you are still deciding, or whether you are yet to succeed with your application, this message is for you. 

SIPA is an outstanding, insightful, and powerful place. Never have I encountered a place with so many brilliant people, renowned policy figures, and unique opportunities. Nonetheless, everything comes to an end, and my two years at SIPA are, in fact, coming to a close. Because of that, I would like to share my final piece of advice from my time here with you.

Make the most out of your time at SIPA.

In my two years here, I realized that the problem is not having enough opportunities, but exactly the opposite — having too many. Once you enroll, you will easily see this yourselves. During campus tours and virtual office hours, prospective applicants often ask me what the SIPA experience looks like or what a classic SIPA student does. There is really no such thing as a “classic” SIPA student. There are so many pathways and activities to pursue at SIPA;

Some people max out on their courses, some find a cool UN internship during the semester, some work on a state-of-the-art research project with a professor, others do grand house parties, enjoy the city, find a life partner, change careers, and so many other things.

I can hardly choose which experiences at SIPA were the best — there were simply too many. I suppose that some of them would definitely include meeting the U.S. and foreign presidents, calling astronauts in space or the founder of the Internet, studying French vocab with a U.S. Marine and an Oppenheimer, holding an actual Oscar in my hands (it’s so heavy), being taught by Nobel Prize laureates (as well as by Secretaries Clinton and Pompeo!), representing the School at Ivy League universities, teaching high schoolers in Kyrgyzstan. There is just so much that could be done through SIPA. Nonetheless, time flies by, and one day in the future, you will be sitting in my chair. Therefore, I say to you:

Think about what you want to make out of the experience. Explore and use the opportunities that the university gives you, and do your best to make your time here meaningful and enjoyable.

Also, never forget about the people aspect of this university. After all, a single friendship could influence you for a lifetime, and that is definitely worth bearing in mind! Find friends who are honest, kind, and have a good heart. Then, I’m sure you will always succeed:) That is all from me.

I wish you all the best!!

Maxim

MIA‘26

Admissions PA 25-26

Harriman Junior Fellow 25-26

IGP Student Scholar 24-25

CEUSA President 25