When should i pass exams?

[bsc13]

Right now i'm a freshman math major intending to become an actuary. I know that it is advised to pass exams and have internship experience before graduation, so when should i do these? Should i try to pass an exam or two before the end of my junior year and apply for internships that summer? Or would it better to start earlier and back all that up by a year so i can intern both the summers of my sophomore and junior years? Thanks for the help

[pfredericks36]

Right now i'm a freshman math major intending to become an actuary. I know that it is advised to pass exams and have internship experience before graduation, so when should i do these? Should i try to pass an exam or two before the end of my junior year and apply for internships that summer? Or would it better to start earlier and back all that up by a year so i can intern both the summers of my sophomore and junior years? Thanks for the help

The earlier the better. Just make sure you are solid in your calc. courses, and the finance stuff is pretty easy to pick up on. Try to take the calc. sequence then take probability theory right away(if it is offered) then take exam P. Again, the earlier the better, but you also have to do what makes you happy, and what you can handle.

[bsc13]

Well after this semester i'll be done with cal 1-3. then i can either take differential equations, linear algebra, and transition to higher mathematics (dealing with proof based stuff) next year OR take introduction to mathematical statistics 1 and 2. Which should i do? if i do one set next year, i'll do the next my junior year

[pfredericks36]

Well after this semester i'll be done with cal 1-3. then i can either take differential equations, linear algebra, and transition to higher mathematics (dealing with proof based stuff) next year OR take introduction to mathematical statistics 1 and 2. Which should i do? if i do one set next year, i'll do the next my junior year

What you should do is a very subjective question, and can only be answered by you. Do you really enjoy abstract stuff, or do you prefer more applied mathematics? In terms of test taking, as along as you have calc1-3 and probability, you will def. have the mathematical machinery to pass exams. Personally, I loved linear algebra, and analysis(upper level math stuff, and even some measure theory) and I feel those courses give you the mathematical maturity to really study stuff on your own. this is obviously IMO. Diff Eq. is great, heck every math course is great to take! that is the beauty of being a math major. And actually depending on where you are taking courses, your math stat option may help you for VEE credits needed. You can find if it is or is not on the SOA homepage. Simply put, take as many math classes as possible, take micro and macro (econ that is) a basic finance/corporate finance class as an elective, anda qualifying statistics course( covering time series and regression) to fullfill your VEE credits. Godspeed

[bsc13]

Thanks for all the advice!