Columbia University Student Thinking About Transferring to ISU

[itzflan11485]

Hello all,

I am currently a Masters student in Columbia University for Actuarial Science but I am unsatisfied with their program for a number of reasons. I am thinking about transferring to Illinois State for a Masters in Actuarial Science and would like a current student's (or alumni's) perspective about the program. I have a few questions in particular:

- How hard/easy was it to obtain an internship?
- Are the classes useful in preparing for the exams?
- Is Illinois State a well-renowned school in actuarial circles?
- Is it hard to obtain a Graduate Assistantship?

Any feedback would be much appreciated.

[krzysio]

- How hard/easy was it to obtain an internship?
Most of our students have founds internships, but the job market is very bad. Significantly worse than I have ever seen (I came to the U.S. in 1981, finding a job is gradually beginning to look like in Brazil in 1980s, while Brazil is beginning to look like the U.S. in the 1980s). Then again, if you can get our rulers to cut the corporate income tax to the level of Sweden, there may be hope.

- Are the classes useful in preparing for the exams?
Yes, of course.

- Is Illinois State a well-renowned school in actuarial circles?
I certainly hope so.

- Is it hard to obtain a Graduate Assistantship?
Yes. We have about ten applicants for each spot.

Yours,
Krzys'

Originally Posted by itzflan11485

Hello all,

I am currently a Masters student in Columbia University for Actuarial Science but I am unsatisfied with their program for a number of reasons. I am thinking about transferring to Illinois State for a Masters in Actuarial Science and would like a current student's (or alumni's) perspective about the program. I have a few questions in particular:

- How hard/easy was it to obtain an internship?
- Are the classes useful in preparing for the exams?
- Is Illinois State a well-renowned school in actuarial circles?
- Is it hard to obtain a Graduate Assistantship?

Any feedback would be much appreciated.