International or Commonwealth Campus Student? The Club is Here to Help
Transferring to Penn-State University Park as an International student or Commonwealth campus student is not always an easy task and requires a lot of planning and preparation. Luckily, the Actuarial Science Club is here to make this process a little easier and highlight a few things that you should think about before you make the switch and once you get to University Park.
For an overview of tips on how to be successful as an international student, take a look at this presentation. If you are a commonwealth campus student, take a look at this presentation. To learn about a specific topic, pick a category below. If you have any questions, please contact our Director of Student Development, Roshan Shah.
I Want to Learn More About:
Actuarial EXAMS
-
University Park Student
-
International Student
-
Commonwealth Student
<
>
Many students are afraid of taking an exam before coming to Penn State, but you don't need to be! Self-studying is a skill all actuaries must develop, so it's a great idea to start practicing now. Many students have passed exams on their own with great success!
Some other countries offer SOA/CAS actuarial testing, so if your country does, take advantage of this. While taking exams early can help you secure an internship, doing so is optional and you will not be disadvantaged if you cannot manage this. Many international and commonwealth students have arrived at University Park without any exams passed and been successful.
Some other countries offer SOA/CAS actuarial testing, so if your country does, take advantage of this. While taking exams early can help you secure an internship, doing so is optional and you will not be disadvantaged if you cannot manage this. Many international and commonwealth students have arrived at University Park without any exams passed and been successful.
Many students are afraid of taking an exam before coming to Penn State, but don't be! Self-studying is a skill all actuaries must develop, so it's a good idea to start practicing now. Many students have passed exams on their own with great success!
There are testing locations in Pennsylvania in Pittsburgh (north of the city, east of the city/Monroeville), State College, Harrisburg, Lancaster, King of Prussia, Allentown, and Philadelphia, so you can travel to one of these locations from your campus to take your exam.
There are testing locations in Pennsylvania in Pittsburgh (north of the city, east of the city/Monroeville), State College, Harrisburg, Lancaster, King of Prussia, Allentown, and Philadelphia, so you can travel to one of these locations from your campus to take your exam.
Internships & Full Time Jobs
-
University Park Student
-
International Student
-
Commonwealth Student
<
>
Every student should look here to learn about how to be successful in securing an internship.
Keep in mind that if you get an internship for the summer, you will be required to enroll in a 1.5 credit course in order to do an internship which you will have to pay standard tuition for. This might make getting an internship seem less appealing, but having an internship increases your chances of getting a job after graduation, so it really is worth it!
Finding internships and jobs as an international student can be challenging because not all companies sponsor h1b visas. Because of this, it's important to know which companies offer sponsorship before you spend an hour at an information session, or hours at the career fair. Whether a company hires international students or not can be found in the career fair brochure, sent out a few weeks before the career fair. You can also look on our list of companies that hire at Penn State here, and look to see if they hire international students. Be sure to confirm this information with the company as their policies are subject to change.
Getting a job after graduation is dependent on the O.P.T visa that the U.S grants international students after they graduate. However, for most majors, only one year is granted. STEM majors are however given three years. In the past the Actuarial Science major was not considered a STEM major, and graduating international actuarial major students were only given one year with their O.P.T. This has since been changed and Actuarial Science is now considered a STEM major. Thus, international Actuarial students can receive three years with their O.P.T.
If you are unable to find internships in the U.S.A try to look for opportunities in your home country as well. This is a great alternative to an internship here in the states and is also looked favorably upon by recruiters.
Try to complete an internship in your home country before transferring to Penn-State. This will help boost your resume and increase your chances of securing an internship sooner. Also make sure you keep up with and pass actuarial exams. Do not just pass the minimum number of exams recommended but try to supersede this. This will increase your chances of getting an internship.
Finding internships and jobs as an international student can be challenging because not all companies sponsor h1b visas. Because of this, it's important to know which companies offer sponsorship before you spend an hour at an information session, or hours at the career fair. Whether a company hires international students or not can be found in the career fair brochure, sent out a few weeks before the career fair. You can also look on our list of companies that hire at Penn State here, and look to see if they hire international students. Be sure to confirm this information with the company as their policies are subject to change.
Getting a job after graduation is dependent on the O.P.T visa that the U.S grants international students after they graduate. However, for most majors, only one year is granted. STEM majors are however given three years. In the past the Actuarial Science major was not considered a STEM major, and graduating international actuarial major students were only given one year with their O.P.T. This has since been changed and Actuarial Science is now considered a STEM major. Thus, international Actuarial students can receive three years with their O.P.T.
If you are unable to find internships in the U.S.A try to look for opportunities in your home country as well. This is a great alternative to an internship here in the states and is also looked favorably upon by recruiters.
Try to complete an internship in your home country before transferring to Penn-State. This will help boost your resume and increase your chances of securing an internship sooner. Also make sure you keep up with and pass actuarial exams. Do not just pass the minimum number of exams recommended but try to supersede this. This will increase your chances of getting an internship.
The most important thing to know about being a commonwealth student trying to secure an internship is that you can go to Penn State's Actuarial Science Club Career Fair! As long as you pay the club's dues ($20), you can drive to Penn State and talk to recruiters!
Make sure you keep up with and pass actuarial exams. Do not just pass the minimum number of exams recommended but try to supersede this. This will increase your chances of getting an internship.
Make sure you keep up with and pass actuarial exams. Do not just pass the minimum number of exams recommended but try to supersede this. This will increase your chances of getting an internship.
Scheduling
-
University Park Student
-
International Student
-
Commonwealth Student
<
>
Learn more about the standard scheduling process here.
Most of the scheduling process is the same for international students and students from the Unites States. However, if you are interested in staying in the U.S. over the summer, but are unable to secure an internship, summer classes are a great way to get ahead on classes or make up lost ground. After freshman year is the best time to do so because many of the specialized courses taken junior and senior year are not offered in the summer.
Try to take the equivalent of introductory courses like MATH 140/141, ECON 102/104 and if you can CMPSC 121 and STAT 200 at your respective university. Look at the sample schedules provided here and read about the various courses needed to graduate with a degree from Penn-State. See if your university offers similar courses that you would be able to use as transfer credits.
You will likely be able to opt-out of the foreign language requirement, so be sure to use this extra space to get ahead on other general education classes.
Try to take the equivalent of introductory courses like MATH 140/141, ECON 102/104 and if you can CMPSC 121 and STAT 200 at your respective university. Look at the sample schedules provided here and read about the various courses needed to graduate with a degree from Penn-State. See if your university offers similar courses that you would be able to use as transfer credits.
You will likely be able to opt-out of the foreign language requirement, so be sure to use this extra space to get ahead on other general education classes.
It is very important to avoid getting behind on your math classes while at a branch campus. Try to take all the introductory courses at your branch campus. These can all be found in the sample schedules page. To stay on track with the entrance to major requirements you might consider taking MATH 140, MATH 141, MATH 230/231 or STAT 414 during the summer session either on your campus or online. The availability of the online RM 214 class during the summer is not guaranteed, contact a club officers or look on LionPath to find out about the current situation.
arriving at penn STate
-
University Park Student
-
International Student
-
Commonwealth Student
<
>
You should plan to transfer after your first/freshman year at your respective international university. This is because Penn State courses like RM 214 (optional), RM 410, and various other actuarial courses are offered in your second, third and fourth year. These courses are specific to the actuarial program (SOA/CAS) in the United States so many international universities do not have equivalent courses to satisfy these requirements. Most times after your first year, the courses no longer align properly and the courses you take in your second or third at your respective university will not be able to satisfy the requirements that Penn State has. A late transfer may result in you having to redo your second or third year, unnecessarily delaying your graduation.
International students should take the SAT. Although most countries have some sort of standardized tests that incoming university students have to take before they can be admitted into the university. These unfortunately do not meet the SAT requirement and you will need to take the SAT as well.
International students should take the SAT. Although most countries have some sort of standardized tests that incoming university students have to take before they can be admitted into the university. These unfortunately do not meet the SAT requirement and you will need to take the SAT as well.
You should meet with your advisor to discuss a possibility of a transfer to University Park after your 3rd semester. This is an uncommon process but is possible if you are a Smeal major, have 44-59 completed credits prior to your transfer and have met all the entrance to major requirements.
If you are Math or Stat major there is still an option to transfer early. You need to complete entrance to major requirements as well as a certain number of credits on the commonwealth campus. The threshold for the number of credits is unclear, but students with 50 credits have managed to change campus after their 3rd semester. Discuss the details with your advisor.
If you are Math or Stat major there is still an option to transfer early. You need to complete entrance to major requirements as well as a certain number of credits on the commonwealth campus. The threshold for the number of credits is unclear, but students with 50 credits have managed to change campus after their 3rd semester. Discuss the details with your advisor.
General advice
-
University Park Student
-
International Student
-
Commonwealth Student
<
>
Complete the new student checklist found on the new student dashboard.
Once you get to Penn-State do not get overwhelmed by the number of classes you need to take before graduation. You may feel like you are a little behind and this is natural. With trying to take all your gen-ed classes and potentially minoring in something there is quite a bit to do. Do not fear because with a little planning, you will be able to graduate right on time.
Use your summers wisely! You will probably need to take summer classes once you get to Penn State so that you can graduate on time. Construct your schedule with all the classes you still need to take to help you gauge which semesters you plan on taking certain courses. Do not overload yourself, keep some for the summer. Take note! Not all courses can be taken over the summer, so try to take those that can be taken over the summer over the summer and those that can’t during the other semesters. Check out sample schedules here.
Use your summers wisely! You will probably need to take summer classes once you get to Penn State so that you can graduate on time. Construct your schedule with all the classes you still need to take to help you gauge which semesters you plan on taking certain courses. Do not overload yourself, keep some for the summer. Take note! Not all courses can be taken over the summer, so try to take those that can be taken over the summer over the summer and those that can’t during the other semesters. Check out sample schedules here.
Once you get to Penn-State do not get overwhelmed by the number of classes you need to take before graduation. You may feel like you are a little behind and this is natural. With trying to take all your gen-ed classes and potentially minoring in something there is quite a bit to do. Do not fear because with a little planning, you will be able to graduate right on time.
Use your summers wisely! You will probably need to take summer classes once you get to Penn State so that you can graduate on time. Construct your schedule with all the classes you still need to take to help you gauge which semesters you plan on taking certain courses. Do not overload yourself, keep some for the summer. Take note! Not all courses can be taken over the summer, so try to take those that can be taken over the summer over the summer and those that can’t during the other semesters. Check out sample schedules here.
Use your summers wisely! You will probably need to take summer classes once you get to Penn State so that you can graduate on time. Construct your schedule with all the classes you still need to take to help you gauge which semesters you plan on taking certain courses. Do not overload yourself, keep some for the summer. Take note! Not all courses can be taken over the summer, so try to take those that can be taken over the summer over the summer and those that can’t during the other semesters. Check out sample schedules here.