Actuarial Program

New Students

Welcome to Ohio State Actuarial Science!

Welcome aboard! At Ohio State, Actuarial Science is a big family. We learn from different disciplines and strive to become the most skilled and versatile risk experts in the workforce.

Who Are We?

If you’re a new student and not sure about what to expect, we got you! We have one of the largest actuarial programs in the nation – our big family consists of nearly 400 current students and faculties. There are many resources here to help you achieve your goal:

  • We have established active connections with more than 40 companies across the country; they hire directly through our program.
  • Columbus is home to many insurance and financial service companies. There is also a huge demand for actuarial graduates in the Midwest.
  • You are studying with the smartest people in this school. Among us, some have won the first place in national case competitions, one has become the Chief Actuary of New York City, one has become the Chief Financial Officer of a major insurance company on the West Coast… Who will you become?  Learn more about our achievements and alumni.

What to Expect?

Skills That I Will Gain After 4 Years at OSU

The skills developed and honed by a successful actuarial student include specialized math knowledge, strong computer skills, and an excellent business sense. This includes knowledge of finance, accounting, and economics, as well as keen analytical, project management, and problem-solving skills. You will also develop solid written and oral communication skills.

These hard skills will be developed throughout the OSU Actuarial Science curriculum.

In addition, our future actuaries enjoy learning, solving complicated problems, and writing and communicating. They can work effectively alone or as part of a team, and they are interested in a variety of historical, social, legislative, and political issues. They are self-motivated achievers.

These soft skills can be practiced through internships and Actuarial Club involvements.

Tips for Success

How Can I Develop These Skills Efficiently?

Attend The Annual Forum

It is important to complete the major requirements and to pass actuarial exams, but it is equally important to be exposed to the profession and to join a professional network. Come to this meeting to find out what resources available to you at OSU in addition to the math and actuarial science curriculum.

Find A Mentor

The mentorship program will consist of 8-10 meetings a semester. Mentor and mentee plan to meet at least once a week in person for at least 30 minutes. Some of the things that will be disscussed during the meetings are: What is Actuarial Science, SOA vs CAS, Insurance vs Consulting, different fields in Actuarial jobs, and many more. 

Come to The Actuarial Company Visits
WHY should I go to these company presentations?
  • Learn about how insurance companies work – how they make money?
  • Explore your career path – short vs long-term products / life vs non-life products
  • Network with the recruiters – increase your chance of being hired
Good questions to ask yourself / the recruiters:
  • What are reserves?
  • What’s the biggest risk your company is facing?
  • How do changes in interest rate affect the liabilities?
  • Describe a project that past intern has worked on?
  • What exam support program does your company offer?
  • …
Start Studying for Your First Actuarial Exam ASAP

You do not need to wait till you finish the corresponding Math courses to start preparing for your first exam. If you have taken calculus and probability, you can start studying for Exam P or Exam FM right away. Passing those exams not only shows employers your commitment to this career, but also gives you a good sense of the fundamentals of the actuarial field.

Attend Our Workshops

Learning should never be limited to classrooms. In fact, actuaries continue to learn new things every day on their job. Our workshops will feature critical technical skills that are practiced by modern actuaries, as well as soft skills that will make you the ideal job candidate and a successful employee in the future.

Keep An Eye on Our Emails And Website

You don’t want your next internship/job opportunity just sit in your mailbox unopened! Make sure you skim through what’s in our Weekly Newsletter. You are also strongly encouraged to explore our club website – it has the answers to almost all of the questions you may have about Actuarial Science and how to become successful!