MS Actuarial Science Prorgam, Please Help ME!!!!!!!!

[LoveActuary]

Hi. This is my first post!!

I am glad to announce that I have been accepted to Univ of Iowa, Georgia State Univ, and Univ of Nebraska for MS Actuarial Science program.

(+ Pending : Univ of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, Univ of Connecticut-Storrs)

Now I have to make a decision. But it's hard to find anyone who knows about the actuarial science program.

I am paying out-of-state fees anyway (no funds) (only Univ of Nebraska let me pay 150% of in-state fee which is about $7500 less than out-of-state fee per year)

so it doesnt matter.

I tried to get an actuarial job as soon as I graduated, but failed due to location + only 2 actuarial exams passed + English not being my first language.

I live in California, and I found out that many insurance comapnies that hire actuaries are in Mid and East coast,

so I decided to go to the graduate school. (and pass more exams and achieve ASA in there)

However, I am not sure which university can provide the best environment for learning, helping me get a full-time job.

I know that Georiga State University (GSU) is famous for its actuarial science program, but I feel that not that many people recognize this university.

(Although I understand that general school ranking doesn't mean anything...still hesitated)

Univ of Iowa, and Univ of Illinois(Urbana) seem to be good choice for me in terms of school names, and the actual program.

But, I still need advices.

If you know anything about these universities, programs, or job placements (which is my biggest concern), please let me know.

Please help me decide.

[dendrogirl]

First off, I'm a statistics student, not an actuarial student. But, I have spent some time talking to professional actuaries. From what I've learned from them, it ls most important what actuary exams you have passed --not what school you come from. So, I would focus on finding a program where you would fit in, be happy and get a good education so you can pass the exams. Find out if there are differences in how each program prepares you to take the exams.

I would ask the departments directly about their success in placing MS students as actuaries. Also ask the department directly what support they offer students for finding jobs after graduation. Ask if the MS students are generally able to find internships during the summer. Its okay to be direct I might also do some research to find out which campuses (or surrounding cities) have active actuarial professional societies or student clubs. I've found that professional organizations are a great way to make connections that will lead to jobs.

Hope that helps!

[LoveActuary]

Thank you very much for your reply.

I asked to the departments directly about the job placement before too, but many of them try to avoid answering the questions directly

For example, if I ask the number of students who graduated and got a full time job last year, they just say, a lot, but it depends on your skills, something like this.

Oh well...

Any other opinions please, anyone?

First off, I'm a statistics student, not an actuarial student. But, I have spent some time talking to professional actuaries. From what I've learned from them, it ls most important what actuary exams you have passed --not what school you come from. So, I would focus on finding a program where you would fit in, be happy and get a good education so you can pass the exams. Find out if there are differences in how each program prepares you to take the exams.

I would ask the departments directly about their success in placing MS students as actuaries. Also ask the department directly what support they offer students for finding jobs after graduation. Ask if the MS students are generally able to find internships during the summer. Its okay to be direct I might also do some research to find out which campuses (or surrounding cities) have active actuarial professional societies or student clubs. I've found that professional organizations are a great way to make connections that will lead to jobs.

Hope that helps!

[kotov]

Iowa. I started as actuarial and it was my dream school.