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Actuarial/Law (2 Viewers)

jaychouf4n

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Is it worth it? I hear that 3rd year is basically impossible, and it means that you basically have no social life. Though because it has a focus on Mathematics, it makes it very attractive for me.

My other option would be the standard Finance/Law at UNSW, though because Finance has less of a focus on Maths this is less attractive for me.

Another option would be Financial Mathematics/Law At Usyd. The problem is that I have a 99.5 ATAR, and last year's cut off was 99.55, so I might not be able to get in. And also, most of my friends won't be at Usyd -.-

My marks were as follows
Eng (adv):89
Math 3u: 98
Math 4u: 95
Phys: 95
Chem: 92

So which of these options would be best for me? I wouldn't mind being an Actuary, and then move into management. But then again, being an investment Banker would also be interesting for me :)
 

lyounamu

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Is it worth it? I hear that 3rd year is basically impossible, and it means that you basically have no social life. Though because it has a focus on Mathematics, it makes it very attractive for me.

My other option would be the standard Finance/Law at UNSW, though because Finance has less of a focus on Maths this is less attractive for me.

Another option would be Financial Mathematics/Law At Usyd. The problem is that I have a 99.5 ATAR, and last year's cut off was 99.55, so I might not be able to get in. And also, most of my friends won't be at Usyd -.-

My marks were as follows
Eng (adv):89
Math 3u: 98
Math 4u: 95
Phys: 95
Chem: 92

So which of these options would be best for me? I wouldn't mind being an Actuary, and then move into management. But then again, being an investment Banker would also be interesting for me :)
High-five for 3 unit maths! But I beat you in 4 unit :p

But anyway, I am considering the same course as you.

I have heard that such combination (Law + Actuarial) is being undertaken by many academically gifted + hard-working students and they are coping it well.

However, for MOST students, such combination can only disintegrate into a social-life killer or even suicide. :spin:

I am thinking like crazy whether I should do that combination or not because I have heard from many people that I would make a good solicitor, barrister or judge and they also said that law degree may intrigue me. Besides, even though I want to be an actuary, there is still a chance that I won't become one. BESIDES, I also wanted to work for UN...so I am not sure if doing actuarial studies would be of benefit if I DO decide to work for UN.
 
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jaychouf4n

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Congrats :p I hear that you did really well, so congrats with your ATAR :D

I know, I don't want to socially suicide T_T I've enjoyed myself SOOOO MUCH these holidays, I can't let it go XD

Haha, we'll see :) Maybe we'll be in the same course in the end, as law buddies XP
 

lyounamu

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Congrats :p I hear that you did really well, so congrats with your ATAR :D

I know, I don't want to socially suicide T_T I've enjoyed myself SOOOO MUCH these holidays, I can't let it go XD

Haha, we'll see :) Maybe we'll be in the same course in the end, as law buddies XP
Thx man.

But on the social aspect of Uni, I agree. I don't want to become some socially retarded kid for the sake of studying for law + actuarial. Besides, I won't even be able to guarantee that I will succeed either.

I just looked through UNSW Handbook and it says Law + Actuarial is 5 years (combined) and that's LONG. Actuarial + something else is just 4 Years and if you have your eye set on becoming an actuary, actuarial + law is probably not the best course. I reckon the people who do actuarial + law are actually interested in law and they probably do actuarial as back-up (That's my guess).

IMHO, pros of actuarial + law:
- 2 excellent degrees

cons of actuarial + law:
- it's known as a "social life killer" or even "suicide" lol
- too long if you just want to be an actuary
- those two degrees hardly complement each other
- only one major from commerce...=(((
 

scora

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i think taking both actuarial + law is a bit of a waste, if ur looking to get a job as an actuary sure the law degree might look good on your resume but that's all it'll do (is it worth the extra year or so?)

Also, looking for a job as a lawyer, how would having completed actuarial studies at uni help? But, if you are dead set on doing the two, then by all means do it; although, the workload will kill you.

my 2c
 

lyounamu

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i think taking both actuarial + law is a bit of a waste, if ur looking to get a job as an actuary sure the law degree might look good on your resume but that's all it'll do (is it worth the extra year or so?)

Also, looking for a job as a lawyer, how would having completed actuarial studies at uni help? But, if you are dead set on doing the two, then by all means do it; although, the workload will kill you.

my 2c
Good point.
 

jaychouf4n

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i think taking both actuarial + law is a bit of a waste, if ur looking to get a job as an actuary sure the law degree might look good on your resume but that's all it'll do (is it worth the extra year or so?)

Also, looking for a job as a lawyer, how would having completed actuarial studies at uni help? But, if you are dead set on doing the two, then by all means do it; although, the workload will kill you.

my 2c
Yeah that's what I thought. So I'm leaning towards Finance as the comm major atm. Though my mum is REALLY into me going to USYD because she thinks it's like a prerequisite for becoming a CEO -.- I want to go to UNSW because there's going to be more of my friends there, I don't think I'll have as much fun in USYD ><
 

h3ll h0und

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what is the difference between choosing to do finance major or actuarial major? as in, what different careers do they lead to?
 

jaychouf4n

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what is the difference between choosing to do finance major or actuarial major? as in, what different careers do they lead to?
Actuarial is a lot more quantative than finance, and so it leads into a lot more technical fields. You become an actuary or an analyst etc. So you need strong logic and a love of maths. Finance leads more to Investment banking so it's far less mathematical.
 

Misyndo

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cons of actuarial + law:
- too long if you just want to be an actuary
To be an actuary you'll need to pass through all 3 exemptions so even if you don't do the combined actuary/law program, you still won't be an actuary by the 5th year if you did a normal combined actuary/other program which finishes in the 4th year.

I remember reading somewhere that if you do the combined actuary/law program then that exempts you from part 1 and 2 of the actuary requirement.

But if you do combined actuary/other you only get to finish part 1 and not part 2 of the requirement (unless you take up extra credit during the summer holidays or something like that).
 

Pwnage101

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To be an actuary you'll need to pass through all 3 exemptions so even if you don't do the combined actuary/law program, you still won't be an actuary by the 5th year if you did a normal combined actuary/other program which finishes in the 4th year.

I remember reading somewhere that if you do the combined actuary/law program then that exempts you from part 1 and 2 of the actuary requirement.

But if you do combined actuary/other you only get to finish part 1 and not part 2 of the requirement (unless you take up extra credit during the summer holidays or something like that).
Not at Macquarie.
 

cyl123

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But if you do combined actuary/other you only get to finish part 1 and not part 2 of the requirement (unless you take up extra credit during the summer holidays or something like that).
Not at UNSW.
 

akqjt

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Do you want to be a lawyer? If not I think doing actuarial/finance would be a better choice. It's a shorter degree and you can always do honours in Finance if you want to go for that extra prestige.

Either way, which ever degree you choose, try and get a minimum 80 average in your non law/actuarial subjects and a 70 average otherwise. Just my observations on the academic expectations of double degree kids (no you don't need a HD average overall).
 

Misyndo

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I must have been reading the ANU booklet then. Ignore the previous post then.
 

Studentleader

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Law work is getting outsoursed along with everything else so I'd stick to just maths - actuarial qualification isn't really worth it in terms of oppurtunity cost.
 

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