Hi, I’m a nontraditional community college student who will transfer to a 4 year college in Fall 2015. I have gotten offers from several universities, but I only consider three of them because of the financial aid offer. However, I don’t know which one I should choose. I would like to hear your advises. I will pursue a career as an actuary and also would like to go to graduate school after I finish my undergraduate study.
Those three schools that I am considering includes:
University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, School of Literature, Science & Art, major in Actuarial Math
University of Pennsylvania, School of Arts and Sciences, College of Liberal and Professional Studies, Major in Mathematics
University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, Department of Statistics and Operations Research, Major in Mathematical Decision Sciences
Because these three school offers enough financial aid to me, so i don’t know which one I should choose. Pleas advise. Thanks.
I would pick UPENN. Do you want to live in the cold?
UNC Chapel hill is great also. Do you want nice weather, nice women and good job prospects in the southern area?
I can’t speak regarding UM though, though it’s a solid school also.
@ltfezha, Do you mean Chapel Hill has better reputation than UMich in the South?
Yes, UNC Chapel Hill holds a better name in the south than UMich. It doesn’t mean it’s better though.
I’m from North Carolina. Anytime, no matter what part of NC or SC you are, if someone mentions their Alma Matter is Chapel Hill, they garner good attention (and respect).
Funny fact: I’m also trying to decide between UPenn LPS and UNC Chapel Hill after I separate from the Arm. I’m almost in the same dilemma as you. I wouldn’t regret picking one over the other. Though, what will really ease your decision is this:
Where will you live after college? In the Northeast or Southeast?
Northeast? UPenn LPS
Southeast? Chapel Hill
I can’t speak for U Mich, though their Ross business school is highly regarded and respected.
@ltfezha, when I was admitted to UPenn LPS, I was so excited. I had no doubt to transfer to LPS. But i did some research online, which totally changed my view on it. First of all, after students graduate from LPS, the name"LPS"will appear on the transcript even though it will not be on the degree. Secondly, most LPS students have to take evening classes, even though students from LPS are allowed to take day classes, it is much more expensive. Last but not least, LPS students are not eligible to transfer within the University, which means that If LPS student decides to apply to transfer to Wharton after he/she haven been in LPS for a semester and he/she want to change the field of study, he/she is not eligible to apply. All the above reasons made me doubt the quality of the degree from UPenn LPS.
I would visit all three as all are excellent. I know several people who graduated from the Michigan actuarial program, completed all of the tests and have jobs some of the largest insurance companies in the US. Penn, as an Ivy, offers the best reputation and your degree is the same as traditional students. Since you only have 2 or 3 years as an undergrad, I would be more concerned with which would help you enter the best grad school. You might continue with a masters or PhD in Math or Statistics.
Penn is an urban campus, UNC and Michigan are small cities. Which do you prefer? Ann Arbor is colder and is close to lots of sports and winter activities too. In terms of living expenses, UNC is cheapest, then UM and Penn. UM has amazing sport related activities, UNC less so, and Penn least. What do you plan to do in the summer? I’d check into internships and/or summer classes at all schools.