<p>Hi. I was just wondering if any parents or student is or were a current student in an accredited acturial science program, or if they are self-studying the exams. Thanks!</p>
<p>My husband got a BS in Actuarial Science many years ago. The school has merged with St. Johns in NY. He took his first exam in H.S. - before he even took any Actuarial Science classes. You do not have to have a degree in Actuarial Science to take the exams. Many exam takers have degrees in math (actuarial science is really just math.) Most exams are taken after college anyway. My husband was an exception. He knew early what he wanted and started taking exams early. Most people don't start that early. He took some prep classes (2 weeks long) for a few exams. I think they were given at Georgia State. The rest he self studied for - as do most people.</p>
<p>I believe Drake Univ. may have an actuarial science degree.</p>
<p>I am a retired actuary. I am assuming you are currently a high school student. There is a great website:<a href="http://www.beanactuary.org/%5B/url%5D">http://www.beanactuary.org/</a> which has a lot of good information on how to prepare for a career as an actuary. There are also lists of schools with actuarial programs. You do not have to major in actuarial science to become an actuary, but employers typically want students who have passed a few exams while in college. Many actuaries were math, economics, or business majors (and I know some who majored in totally unrelated fields). I had actually gone to college to be a math teacher and then switched careers after a few years. It is also helpful to find a summer job working in an insurance company or consulting firm while you are in college. After college, most actuarial students will work while they finish their exams (self-study). Hope that helps.</p>
<p>I believe one of the dads who posts regularly is an actuary. Don't recall who, but perhaps someone else will remember and if he doesn't post here, you can PM him.</p>
<p>Also suggest you do a search for "actuary", "actuarial." I believe there have been a few discussions of the field previously.</p>
<p>I recruited actuaries for several years. The largest program in the US is at the University of Illinois. It happens to be excellent. St. John's merged with the College of Insurance and also has an outstanding program. The University of Georgia has one of the best Risk Management majors around but I don't recall if they have an actuarial focus. There are several more schools and your research will point you in the right direction.</p>
<p>Many insurance carriers and consulting firms will offer internships as it is one of the best ways to begin building relationships with future employees. This is a field that more strong math students should consider. The career opportunities are fabulous and jobs are available all over the world.</p>
<p>Most college students majoring in actuarial science take 1-2 exams while still in college. As a matter of fact, many likely employers will even require that candidates pass at least 1 exam before being hired.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>fairfaxmom: if its not too personal, could you tell me if your husband passed that exam that he took in hS, and exactly how did he register himself for hte test. I would really like to get a head start if i do choose this career. </p>
<p>palermo: thanks, yeah i visited that site, however, it seems that it was more propaganda than substance. i did find it helpful in some aspects. i guess I was looking for more of a complete profile of an actuary. i wanted to know about every step of their career. their educaiton, and their career moves. </p>
<p>I guess the problem I'm having is that it seems, acturial science is a lot more self-study than anything else, so it seems to me that acturial science majors or programs, are actually unnessesary and almost worthless. this career just seems like all you have to do is pass the test. It seems like going to college would actually hinder you. It looks like it would be better if you just not go to college and spend your time just studying for the tests. </p>
<p>If one is really motivated, and started in high school, by what age would he or she finish all the exams, given average study time, etc.?</p>
<p>If you go to college you start at a high salary. UWis grads this year</p>
<p>Actuarial Science 16 Acceptances Reported
Base Salary Range: $49,000.00 - $65,000.00
Average Base: $58,056.25
Average Bonus: $6,142.86 (87.50% Reported)
Average Relocation: $2,850.00 (56.25% Reported)
Average Other Guaranteed Comp: (0.00% Reported</p>
<p>This is fairfaxmom's husband - the actuary who took exams in hs. To answer your question, I did pass it. I finished the associateship exams at age 20, and finished the fellowship exams at age 26, but took a 3 year break in between (to go to law school), so I could have finished sooner. Most people finish the exams at about age 30, but most people don't start them so early. I do think a college degree in actuarial science is a good idea. Its not just math, at least not if its done right. It also includes business, finance, business law, accounting, and a variety of other disciplines that will come in handy in your real world work as an actuary. Also, some of the colleges have classes that help you pass the exams. And, very important, if you are around other actuarial students you can help each other study and discuss ideas. Some of your college teachers will be actuaries (if not, don't pick that college) and they can be mentors as well as teachers. However, if you've already finished college or most of it, you can still do it self study -it just isn't as easy.</p>
<p>Although in theory a college degree is not required, I do not know even one actuary who does not have a college degree. Many have graduate degrees, and often in different areas. Actuaries who are proficient in more than one profession - and there are many of them - are very valuable and often get the best jobs.</p>
<p>einnoc07: There are a lot of links on the beanactuary website and they give a lot of information, including the exams. Another website to look at is <a href="http://www.soa.org%5B/url%5D">www.soa.org</a>. There is a link for education, material covered on the exams and how to sign up for exams. You would need to have a good understanding of calculus to take the first exam.</p>
<p>Actuaries are involved in many different areas of insurance and consulting. As a student, you would likely rotate between all of the areas in the company, unless you are employed by a very small company. As you advance through the exams, you would specialize in one area - group insurance, individual insurance, pension, investment, and the like. You would work full-time for an employer and study for the exams while you work. Most employers are very good about giving ample study time to their students, but you are expected to work hard in between exams. As a student, I typically worked around 60 hours per week between actual work and studying. I am not sure how many exams there are currently - somewhere around 10. It typically takes a student who has passed two exams in college five additional years to complete the exams. Once you have completed the exams and become a Fellow (you do need to take a cours to complete the process), you also have continuing education requirements to fulfill each year.</p>
<p>Actuaries are involved in many areas so there is no one typical career. I know actuaries who work in management, human resources, investments, computer consulting and the typical insurance career. In an insurance company, an actuary would be involved in setting premiums, dividends, setting reserves, accounting. One other choice is life insurance or casualty insurance (car, home owners insurance). It is a very broad career with a lot of options.</p>
<p>ok thanks for all the responses!</p>
<p>say that since i took ap stat and ap calc bc, if i somehow manage to go to a prep course for the first exam(i'm currently researching this at my local community colleges) would that be sufficient preparation?</p>
<p>btw palermo: could you please tell me what specialty in actuarial science that you chose?</p>
<p>einnoc07,</p>
<p>Please keep in mind that the exams are very difficult. Because of all of the possible career opportunities including consulting, developing other skills becomes critical. Actuaries should not be considered just number crunchers. The actuaries I have worked with are also high-level business people who give presentations, make sales calls, write proposals and communicate very technical information so that others can understand what the data is saying. And in insurance, a lot of them play golf.</p>
<p>Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA has an actuarial science program. :-)</p>
<p>Florida State University also has an Actuarial Science program within the math department and a Risk Management program within the College of Business.</p>
<p>Is there a disadvantage to getting a math degree with course work in actuarial science and economics rather than a degree in actuarial science? I would think the former would be a more flexible degree for those unsure of the career choice. Does it make a difference in the business?</p>
<p>Also excellent actuarial careers in the Federal space, where there are a number of challenging and creative assignments.</p>