<p>I'm a high school senior majoring in mathematics, and I'm planning to be an actuary. In order to be certified as an actuary, one must pass a series of ten rigorous examinations, some of which should be completed during one's undergraduate years, and complete Validation by Educational Experience courses in economics, corporate finance, and applied statistical methods.</p>
<p>I've narrowed down my colleges to two choices: Penn State and Lehigh. From what I've gathered, both Penn State and Lehigh offer courses that will fulfill the Validation by Education Experience requirement. However, Penn State's undergraduate courses will help me cover the learning objectives for exams one through four, while Lehigh's undergraduate courses will only help me learn objectives for exam one (and maybe two).</p>
<p>The exams are often self studied, and most students only complete two during their undergraduate years.</p>
<p>Programs aside, I like Lehigh better than Penn State: the small institution, the dorms, the facilities, the campus, the student body; however, I would not mind going to Penn State.</p>
<p>With a day left before I have to make a decision, I don't know what to pick. Should I pick Penn State, whose undergraduate education will ultimately be more beneficial, or should I pick Lehigh, whose campus I would rather attend if the programs were equally as good?</p>
<p>I’d say Penn State if you really feel the education would be more beneficial, and (especially if you are a Pa resident!!) it is far cheaper. If you really disliked the campus at Penn State, then I’d say go with Lehigh, but it sounds like you would ‘almost’ be as happy at PSU, so go there… We’d love to have you :-)</p>
<p>You might want to weigh how much additional time you would need for self study against spending four years at a campus which is not your first choice. OTOH, there is also the possibility that you would want to change majors; PSU would offer more options in that event. (I know that is very common, but I also know that both my sons knew what they wanted to do going into college and have stayed committed to those majors.) Are finances an issue?</p>
<p>Go with your gut. You only get to do your undergraduate years once. If you like one better, and finances are not a factor, go where you’ll be happiest for four years. If you only take two tests during your undergrad anyway, you can always enroll in courses post-graduation to help study for the other ones, or as you said, self-study like most people.</p>
<p>Lehigh!
I came down to those two colleges and went to Penn State because of the Schreyer Honors College; I regret it with everything I’ve got. Penn State is so big that it’s very hard to get anything done. It’s a huge bureaucracy, and it’s impossible for a student to get his/her voice heard. Plus, Lehigh has much better reputation. PSU is a major party school and at least for the first two years, your classes will consist of 200-300 students. Of course, there are smaller classes available, but very few.
I mean, I suppose it’s wrong of me to completely bash PSU, but unless you’re into obscene amounts of football and drinking, I suggest you stay away. haha. </p>
<p>Lehigh is a small school. It’ll be more supportive and the staff will be able to guide you better. At Penn State, it’s practically impossible for me to set up an appointment with my adviser because she has so many students to take care of.</p>
<p>Scribbles does bring up a factor to take into consideration when choosing a large ubiversity versus a smaller school-bureaucracy. It is indeed a fact of life a PSU, you will have to work harder for the things you want, go after them more aggresively. Nothing will be handed to you. But like I told my daughter, it is not about who you are right now, it is about who you want to become. Dealing with bureaucracy is a life skilll we all need to learn. Colllege is more than just your classes.</p>
<p>All true. My older son went to a smaller private school and I might have preferred the same for my younger son. However, his major is available at just a handful of schools, mostly large publics, and Penn State has one of the top two programs. He has just finished his third year, leaves Friday for a study abroad program and is very happy with his choice. He is not a big partier and has been to one football game, at my prodding. He has had no problem finding a like-minded group of friends.</p>
<p>If it is, in fact, practically impossible for Scribbles to set up an appointment with her advisor I suggest that she email Dean Brady, who I am sure would help her out.</p>