Welcome New Students!
Below are the keys to success in your first year as an actuarial science student at Penn State.
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.
New Student Checklist
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Bi-Weekly Email
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Major Forum
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Pay Dues
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Get Involved
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Start Studying
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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!
The weekly email will keep you up to date on all things PSU Actuarial Science. Click below to sign up!
Each year, the Actuarial Science Club hosts a Major Forum to teach incoming students about Actuarial Science at Penn State. The date for this year's event will be posted here and it would be held in 101 Thomas. Check out the 2024 Slide Deck for more information!
Dues are a one-time fee of $50 and are payable to the Club’s Director of Finance, Olivia Lechthaler via Venmo (@OliviaLech, include name and your PSU email) or cash. Once you pay dues, you are eligible for study material discounts and exam reimbursements.
Find a mentor!
Having a mentor who knows the actuarial curriculum can help you tremendously with your own college career. Sign up using our online mentee form. Mentor assignments will go out in early to mid-September
Attend the Actuarial Science Career Fair!
Check out the Club's Career Tips page to learn more!
Get Involved!
Check out the Club calendar on the Student Dashboard to see all of our upcoming events.
Having a mentor who knows the actuarial curriculum can help you tremendously with your own college career. Sign up using our online mentee form. Mentor assignments will go out in early to mid-September
Attend the Actuarial Science Career Fair!
Check out the Club's Career Tips page to learn more!
Get Involved!
Check out the Club calendar on the Student Dashboard to see all of our upcoming events.
Start studying for your first actuarial exam as early as possible!
Taking Math 141 is the first step to getting ready to start studying for Exam P. Learn more on the website's Exams and Exams Preparations pages to see how classes like RM 214 and other study resources can help you prepare.
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!
Taking Math 141 is the first step to getting ready to start studying for Exam P. Learn more on the website's Exams and Exams Preparations pages to see how classes like RM 214 and other study resources can help you prepare.
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!
Boot Camp
Bootcamp applications are currently closed. The next boot camp will be in Fall 2025. Any Penn State student at University Park or the Commonwealth Campuses this fall is eligible for the program. You will be required to pay $10 for the bootcamp but this will be deducted from your club dues.
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About the Program
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Benefits
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Requirements
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Our Actuarial Science Boot Camp started in 2020 and has become a go-to resource to many new students. The boot camp is open to all Penn State students interested in actuarial science and is THE pipeline to the best actuarial jobs at the most competitive firms. Students will learn many valuable skills through workshops, lessons, and projects and will graduate from the program at the end of the fall semester.
1. Direct email to top sponsors with a list of all boot camp graduates at the end of the program
2. Special designation in the resume books
3. Perfect Resume Builder, giving students the opportunity to learn many applicable skills outside of the classroom
4. Complete instruction on how to obtain the most competitive actuarial jobs
5. Guaranteed interview for Actuarial Science Club Executive board on graduation from the program
6. Graduation ceremony/gift bag (club sticker, candy, etc.)
2. Special designation in the resume books
3. Perfect Resume Builder, giving students the opportunity to learn many applicable skills outside of the classroom
4. Complete instruction on how to obtain the most competitive actuarial jobs
5. Guaranteed interview for Actuarial Science Club Executive board on graduation from the program
6. Graduation ceremony/gift bag (club sticker, candy, etc.)
Boot camp members are expected to complete several tasks, such as attending workshops, completing projects, and networking with other actuaries. For the complete list of boot camp graduation requirements, sign up for the program. If you have additional questions about the program, email the Director of Student Development, Colin Turer.
Mentorship Program
In the past years, our mentor program has been extremely helpful as it gives underclassmen an opportunity to learn from older students who have been in the same shoes as them. We know how overwhelming it can be in this major so having someone that can answer all your questions and prepare you for the future is so important. Being a mentor gives you a unique experience to learn leadership and communication skills as you guide your mentees through the process.
The mentorship program starts every fall semester. If you wish to be a mentee or mentor fill out the form attached below. Keep reading past this to find out the benefits of becoming a mentee and the requirements for mentors!
The mentorship program starts every fall semester. If you wish to be a mentee or mentor fill out the form attached below. Keep reading past this to find out the benefits of becoming a mentee and the requirements for mentors!
Benefits of Becoming a Mentee
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Exam Advice
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Scheduling Help
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Resume and Interviewing Help
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General Advice and Support
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As a large part of the career, Actuarial Exams are a very intimidating task. Mentors will have passed one exam at a minimum, and can offer their advice on the best ways to prepare or what to expect.
Mentors will be able to advise you on the best study methods for the tests they have taken, and can answer questions about the exam taking process. Passing these exams is key to success in this field, so having an experienced reference source is an invaluable resource for mentees to take advantage of.
Mentors will be able to advise you on the best study methods for the tests they have taken, and can answer questions about the exam taking process. Passing these exams is key to success in this field, so having an experienced reference source is an invaluable resource for mentees to take advantage of.
Another great resource that mentors can provide is help with scheduling. They will have experience with different classes, professors, and extra-circulars, and can pass that knowledge onto you.
Even if you are confident in your schedule, it may be a good idea to run it by your mentor, as they may catch issues with it that you may not have. From two back-to-back classes spaced too far apart on campus, to simple suggestions on when to take classes, mentors will be well equipped to assist you with you scheduling questions.
Even if you are confident in your schedule, it may be a good idea to run it by your mentor, as they may catch issues with it that you may not have. From two back-to-back classes spaced too far apart on campus, to simple suggestions on when to take classes, mentors will be well equipped to assist you with you scheduling questions.
Your mentors are great resources for resume/interviewing help. All mentors will have had at least one internship, meaning they have been through this process before and succeeded.
Asking mentors to review your resume can be a great way to catch errors or clear up confusing sections. They will also have insights as to what employers are looking for, and can help you tailor your resume to fit your application.
Another great resource is having your mentor conduct a mock interview. These are a great way to get practice at interviewing if you have no experience already, and your mentors have experience with what types of questions are being asked by actuarial employers currently.
Asking mentors to review your resume can be a great way to catch errors or clear up confusing sections. They will also have insights as to what employers are looking for, and can help you tailor your resume to fit your application.
Another great resource is having your mentor conduct a mock interview. These are a great way to get practice at interviewing if you have no experience already, and your mentors have experience with what types of questions are being asked by actuarial employers currently.
Mentors can be as much of a resource as you need them to be. From typical "dumb" questions that you are afraid to ask others, to very key advice on how you should progress through your career, your mentor is there to help you.
Even if your mentor is unequipped to provide you with specific answers, they have been in the major for long enough to have a network of their own, and can be a great resource to get you looking in the right direction.
DO NOT be afraid to use your mentors, as they are here to help you succeed!
Even if your mentor is unequipped to provide you with specific answers, they have been in the major for long enough to have a network of their own, and can be a great resource to get you looking in the right direction.
DO NOT be afraid to use your mentors, as they are here to help you succeed!
Requirements for Mentors
At this time we ask that mentors only apply if they have passed at least one exam and completed at least one actuarial internship.
Instructions for Mentors
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Helping your mentee is YOUR responsibility
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Use your network
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Being a mentor is a commitment
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As a mentee, it is challenging to know what you don't know. Therefore, mentees frequently struggle asking for help or understanding what they could be doing better as actuarial students. It is your responsibility as a mentor to reach out and offer help to your mentee. Here are some suggestions for steps to take to help your mentee:
1. Ask for their complete schedule plan until graduation, and ensure they understand which classes they need to take and how they can maximize their time at Penn State. If they do not have a complete plan, sit down with them and help them create one.
2. Ask for their resume. Provide respectful, constructive feedback to your mentee on how they can improve their resume. Feel free to use your own resume as an example. If they do not have a current resume, provide them a template for one and help them create it.
3. Set aside 30 minutes to do a mock interview with your mentee. Feel free to set up extra time to provide feedback in order to use the full 30 minutes for the mock interview. Have your mentee pick a company for you to represent and have basic knowledge of that company.
4. Ensure they are attending events put on by the actuarial science club, such as information sessions, the career fair, and interview workshops
5. Check in on their study habits and how they are doing in classes. Provide all the tips and tricks you've learned over the years on how to be successful
6. Talk them through the process. Help them find leadership positions on campus, understand the industry and the exam process, and always be a friendly face on campus
2. Ask for their resume. Provide respectful, constructive feedback to your mentee on how they can improve their resume. Feel free to use your own resume as an example. If they do not have a current resume, provide them a template for one and help them create it.
3. Set aside 30 minutes to do a mock interview with your mentee. Feel free to set up extra time to provide feedback in order to use the full 30 minutes for the mock interview. Have your mentee pick a company for you to represent and have basic knowledge of that company.
4. Ensure they are attending events put on by the actuarial science club, such as information sessions, the career fair, and interview workshops
5. Check in on their study habits and how they are doing in classes. Provide all the tips and tricks you've learned over the years on how to be successful
6. Talk them through the process. Help them find leadership positions on campus, understand the industry and the exam process, and always be a friendly face on campus
Remember, a mentee that is a strong job candidate reflects positively on YOU as a job candidate!
Your mentee may need help or have questions about an area you are not an expert in. In this case, use your network in the actuarial community to find them additional resources. If you are struggling to find the best information, reach out to an officer board member for assistance.
Don't sign up for a mentor if you are not certain you have the appropriate time to devote to your mentee. Some mentees require more assistance than others, so you should be prepared to provide sufficient time to them based on their needs.