What would you do in my situation?

[99.96]

I have pm'd a few people about this and have receive lots of differing opinions so I thought I might ask here:

I want to major in Actuarial studies and have the choice between Melbourne and Monash Uni.

At melbourne the actuarial studies course is:
-accredited (exemption from part I and part II of the exams)
-more renowned course which is has been running longer and is recognised in more places (from what i've heard)
-atar not high enough for scholarship

At monash:
-not fully accredited (only obtain exemption to part I of the exam)
-but i can get a scholarship there (6k a year)


So what would you do in my situation? Scholarship at Monash or a more comprehensive course at Melbourne?

Cheers.

[aes_999]

For me, Monash since it takes 10 min walk to get there (plus scholarship).
But in the long run, I'd advise you to take Melbourne. The extra money, IMO
isn't worth it as opposed to the prestige (and more importantly, huge experience)
that Melbourne Actuary course has over Monash. Keep in mind actuary
at Monash is at it's 'baby' stage now.

[Truck]

I think the best way to look at this is from a monetary perspective. You're obviously keen on Melbourne because of the courses better "status", and presumably the major reason for this is so you can get a better job when you graduate. Excluding other factors such as travelling, the basic question is will getting your Actuarial degree from Melbourne mean that, in the long term, you will earn a better salary then you would from Monash which will exceed the 6k a year you'll be saving from the scholarship? I can't answer that, but my cousin did Actuarial at Melbourne and assuming you get good grades, at this stage employers would PROBABLY see the Melbourne course as a better one which could in fact mean you'd have a greater potential to earn a better salary and thus bridge the gap.

Taking into account that Melbourne has a more accredited course which probably means less exams for you, probably has better lecturers and MOST LIKELY is more convenient to get to then Monash, I would personally choose Melbourne.

[acinod]

Actually by the time you gain exemption from part I, you might be able to gain exemption from part II because Monash should have introduced something by then. Check this out:

The Part II exams can be completed at an accredited university, by attendance or by correspondence. Monash is committed to introducing a Part II program in due course (though not before 2013).

This means that by your 2nd year, Monash would have introduced a Part II program.

Also another benefit of Monash is that it is possible to do a double degree along with your Actuarial Commerce degree. Dr. He advised me to pursue a double degree in perhaps I.T. because then job opportunities will be even better but I still like Melbourne

If i was in your case, I COULD get a scholarship in Monash but I would rather go to Melbourne because it has better facilities, closer and is just better. Treat it as paying for more because it's better

[99.96]

Actually by the time you gain exemption from part I, you might be able to gain exemption from part II because Monash should have introduced something by then. Check this out:

The Part II exams can be completed at an accredited university, by attendance or by correspondence. Monash is committed to introducing a Part II program in due course (though not before 2013).

This means that by your 2nd year, Monash would have introduced a Part II program.

Also another benefit of Monash is that it is possible to do a double degree along with your Actuarial Commerce degree. Dr. He advised me to pursue a double degree in perhaps I.T. because then job opportunities will be even better but I still like Melbourne

If i was in your case, I COULD get a scholarship in Monash but I would rather go to Melbourne because it has better facilities, closer and is just better. Treat it as paying for more because it's better

Yeah i saw the 2013 thing, but there are no guarantees it will be up by then. As for a double degree i personally think it will be too hectic, actuarial studies has a high enough workload already from what i've heard.

[transgression]

Short term loss, long term gain