<p>Hello i needed a little feedback/guidance for choosing a major and a minor or you can even call it a double major. i want to be a surgeon but i also want to be an actuarial analyst. My question is, what is the exact process or being an actuary? I can probably take the first exam after i take 3 levels of Calc but during my undergrad years.. i'm thinking to major in an actuarial science related major and have pemed required classes at the same time. So i'll end up having a BS in economics/finance or which would be most demanding or best to major in to get a job ASAP? because med schools basically want a good mcat score and gpa and all the classes required.
So medicine is my main goal and actuary is like plan B.. but i dont want to make it a minor because they are both equally hard in their own aspects so i would call them both my majors.</p>
<p>Major in math or stats and take the rest of the required courses for med school. I had a friend in college who also couldn’t decide between the two (he majored in math). He ended up going to med school and seems to be doing pretty well.</p>
<p>There was somebody in my classes that quadruple majored in Math, Statistics, Molecular & MicroBiology and Chemistry. I have no idea why the hell somebody would put themselves through that grinder, but he was an extremely bright guy. Probably came into college with considerable AP credits, so all he had to do was take upper division classes during his time at college.</p>
<p>Pick something like Mathematics and Biology to double major in. That should accomplish both requirements for your perspective careers. </p>
<p>If you can start college at Calc III and skip the first year Biology and Chemistry classes (through AP credits), you should be able to accomplish both majors in 4 years.</p>
<p>ya i’m thinking to just major in both no point for having a minor… that’ll just decrease the chances of being employed. so major in eco and biochem… how’s that sound? I’m not going to be able to skip any classes since i have bad science teachers in high school so i chose not to take ap tests. So i’ll probably end up with 5 years but if i see the classes are well balanced, i might just take an extra class each semester and do summer school as well.
Now regarding the majors…i don’t want take a very common branch so that’s why i’m leaning towards biochem …it’s not too common and it’s more helpful in med school too and economics definitely seems to have a positive growth. Any suggestions for other majors?</p>
<p>I’m not sure Econ will get you the mathematics you are going to need to pass the Actuary exams. If you choose Econ, make sure it is a very quantitative program as opposed to a social science program.</p>
<p>then what major do you think will set me up for the actuary exams?</p>
<p>math or preferably stats. plus med schools will like the stats background.</p>
<p>why do you say that?</p>
<p>Math and stats will both give you the background necessary to get through the exams (calc 1-3, probability, mathematical statistics, etc).</p>
<p>And stats would be great for med schools because biostatistics and statistical analysis of diagnoses are the wave of the future for medicine. Here’s an article that touches on some of the need for statistical analysis for doctors.</p>
<p>[Lies</a>, Damned Lies, and Medical Science - Magazine - The Atlantic](<a href=“http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/print/2010/11/lies-damned-lies-and-medical-science/8269/]Lies”>Dr. John Ioannidis Exposes the Bad Science of Colleagues - The Atlantic)</p>
<p>I see. They probably have biostatistics as a major. The thing i, i dont really like bio. I prefer chem over bio but i’ll have to take both classes but i’d rather not major in it because i don’t want to put my gpa at risk. Also, i’ve never taken a stats class because my high school never offered it. Should i still go with stats as a major? should i take that chance?</p>
<p>At the very minimum, you should take one statistics class in college. I would take an intro to stats class your first semester to see how you like it. If you do, then pursue it further, and if you don’t its no big deal. And biostatistics generally is not offered as an undergraduate degree, so I wouldn’t worry about having to do too much bio.</p>
<p>Ok, thank you. But that takes me back to my main question: what should i double major in? Math classes are the only ones that overlap. With high gpa, and great exam scores, i’ll get a job as an actuary (after passing 2 exams) …which is before i get into med school. And of course the college i attend will guide me in when to take all these classes and stuff like that. I want to go into surgery and by that time i’ll be done with actuarial studies since i don’t HAVE to take all five exams to get a job. I also have to take into consideration, i need time for research, volunteering and working hours. Only time that will be very hard if i double major with this is around the time when i’ll be studying for MCATS and the first 2 tests for actuary. But considering everyone’s suggestions and comments, i’m still confused on what to make my major?! I keep asking this question because i dont want to make a mistake in choosing something that’ll make the employers or med schools question me …i want to have it all balanced out.</p>
<p>Major in stats, but focus 100% on prepping for med school. If it doesn’t work out, or you decide later on that it’s not for you, then you have the background to begin passing the exams and find a job as an actuary. You are sorely mistaken if you think you’re smart enough to balance becoming an actuary with your pre-med studies. I’ve worked as an actuary for 7 years, and there are some very, very smart people I work with that still cannot pass all of the exams despite devoting upwards of 1000 hours for each test. These things are a b*tch, and so is getting into med school. You would be wise to put all of your effort into your main goal, and still have the background to go to your backup plan if necessary later on.</p>
<p>So you’re saying it’s nearly impossible to do premed and actuary at the same time? And just have one major as stats…no double?</p>
<p>Yes. It’s better to focus on one (premed) and do it to the best of your ability instead. If it doesn’t work out, you can still fall back on an actuarial career. And you can double major if you’d like, but it shouldn’t matter as long as you get the pre-reqs for med school.</p>
<p>I guess you’re right since they’re both top notch. Did you pass all 5 AS exams? How much work did you put in?</p>
<p>kdb, I think you are underestimating what it takes to become an actuary. You’re not going to get through the first exam after just taking Calc 1-3. You need a strong background in Probability Theory. </p>
<p>You can pass the tests without taking any actual classes in Probability theory, but it will take a considerable amount of self studying. You can order exam prep books from SOA (Society of Actuaries).</p>
<p>In addition to just passing the exams, the job market has become quite tight for entry level actuaries. It’s had a high ranking among the “Top Career Rankings” in recent years, and I think that has drawn more people into the field (driven by the recession where people were looking for a career changes).</p>
<p>I had toyed with the prospects of becoming an actuary (I completed my BS in Statistics and was required to take exam P as part of my degree program), but pretty much decided against it because I didn’t like the idea of my pay scale and job promotion aspects being determined by my ability to pass exams. Also, the actuary field is relatively small and I preferred to pursue jobs in broader fields (research and consulting).</p>
<p>Good luck to you, whichever path you decide. Both will take hard work and dedication.</p>
<p>I know how hard it is and what drove me towards actuary was speaking to actuarial analyst. </p>
<p>Honestly, like many incoming freshmen, i don’t have a specific objective or passion that i am CRAZY about. I’m just chasing the things that i like and what interests me …which is medicine and math and these two happen to be the things i can get most out of. Many have told me to stick to med only but i dont just want to let actuarial science go …what if that’s better for? …if i double major, chances are very less that i will exceed if i major in science…i’ll always think that i should’ve majored in the AS field too…if i major in stats or something thn i might have ups and downs getting into med school.</p>
<p>In every direction i go, there are problems. I don’t know what i’m made for or what work is made for me and i’m sure everyone has trouble with this but i have zero exposure to any of these courses. All i know is that i’m willing to work hard and want to earn a very good amount. I like working with people, big corporations, and economics/stats interests me but that doesn’t mean i’ll be good at it. I’m smart and i want to use what i have to the best and gain even more but …it’s just so complicated because there are so many options and i don’t know how to choose the best ones for me. Maybe i’m thinking too much or thinking too less…</p>
<p>To answer you’re question, I passed 4 of the exams while in college, and finished the other 6 during my first 5 years as an actuary. I failed multiple times and it was a very tough process. But here is the best way to think about your situation. It is much easier to have an actuarial career as a backup than it is to have a medical career as a backup. There are people at my company that used to be teachers, engineers, etc. In fact, my first boss who was the smartest actuary I ever worked with, used to be an engineer. On the other hand, I’ve only heard of one actuary in my life that went on to med school after being one. Med school is just so competitive that you really will not succeed unless you set all your focus to it. A stats major can keep the door open for both options, and I would strongly suggest pursuing med school as a first option. If it doesn’t work out, you can still make it as an actuary. It’s as simple as that.</p>
<p>10 exams total? I only know of 5… and you finished those 4 in undergrad years right?
So i should just do stats major. Main goal is MCATS and back up plan is actuary. I’ll still take the exams as i become prepared for them and hope neither of them fall through. Because if i can get a job after passing first P and FM, i can start paying my loans off. And should i minor in something or just take all required classes in a timely manner?</p>