Welcome to Penn State Actuarial Science!

If you are a new student, congratulations! Penn State has one of the largest actuarial programs in the U.S. so there are lots of resources to help you along the path to becoming an actuary! To learn more about the Actuarial Science Club and Program, check out our About Us page.

What is an Actuary?

Actuaries use math, statistics, and business knowledge to manage risks. 

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Should I Major in Actuarial Science?

Are you really good at math?
Then you should consider Actuarial Science. This Word document provides info on the actuarial profession to help you decide if it is right for you.

If you excel in Mathematics and/or Statistics, consider Actuarial Science. Actuarial Science is often found in a university's Mathematics Department, but some schools offer it under their Statistics Department or Business School. Penn State is unique, as we offer the major under all three. It can help to place out of Calc I by getting a 5 on your AP Exam. See this Math Department website on whether you place out of Calc I and II.

How Do I Major in Actuarial Science?

There are three ways to pursue Actuarial Science at Penn State (all three of these require the same Actuarial courses, but the entrance to major courses differ):

1. Actuarial Science Major through the Smeal College of Business
2. Mathematics (Actuarial Science Option) through the Eberly College of Science
3. Statistics (Actuarial Science Option) through the Eberly College of Science​

Resources on the Club website for scheduling:

• Sample Schedules: Sample schedules for each of the three actuarial majors. It may be helpful for Eberly students to look at the Smeal schedule because the Smeal schedule incorporates exams, all VEE courses, and a Statistics minor.

• RM Classes: Information on the Risk Management classes offered at Penn State and how they connect with the actuarial exam material.​

Any questions? Never hesitate to reach out to any of our club officers!

What about Actuarial Exams?

Actuaries become professionally certified by passing a series of exams.

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New Student Checklist

Below are the keys to success in your first year as an actuarial science student at Penn State.

☐ Subscribe to the Actuarial Science Club Weekly Email

• The weekly email will keep you up to date on all things PSU Actuarial Science. Click below to sign up!

Weekly email sign up

☐ Major Forum

• ​Each year, the Actuarial Science Club hosts a Major Forum to teach incoming students about Actuarial Science at Penn State. This event is mandatory for all first-year students, so be sure to attend! The Major Forum was held on Thursday, August 29th, in 101 Thomas from 6:00 to 7:30pm.
• Missed the Major Forum? Don't fret!
  • Here is a video of the presentation from the most recent Major Forum.
  • Here are the PowerPoint slides from the most recent Major Forum. ​

☐ Find a mentor!

• Having a mentor who knows the actuarial curriculum can help you tremendously with your own college career. Fill out the mentee form on the website, and we can assign a mentor to you!​

Mentee Form

☐ Submit your resume to the Club's resume book

• ​The resume book is a collection of resumes for all of the actuarial students who are actively seeking internships or full-time jobs. Every month, we send the resume book to our list of recruiters. 

Resume Book Dropbox

☐ Attend the Actuarial Science Career Fair!

• Check out the Club's Career Tips page to learn more!

☐ Start studying for your first actuarial exam as early as possible!

• Once you take Math 141, you have the necessary mathematical knowledge to start studying for Exam P. Learn more on the website's Exams and RM Classes pages. 

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☐ Build your technical skills

• Employers love actuarial students who have experience in technical tools like programming and Excel. Get started by checking out the website's Excel/Coding Resources!