Can't decide what course I want to do, need advice

[thesplaaashman]

Hi guys, I am struggling as to what course I should pick up. I got offered commerce specialist and science at Monash (specialising in acturial science) for the first round. I accepted it, and I got offered science at Melbourne for the second round. I am really struggling to decide if I should take science at Melbourne or not, even though my first round offer was my first preference. I have read that acturial science is really full on, and also that the job opportunites aren't great. The distance to Monash is also a factor, since it is pretty far away (hour and a half to get there). I know that ultimately, it is my decision, but could I have some advice?

[The Special One]

Who told you Actuarial science job opportunities aren't great?

Trust me if you do well in that degree petals underske a MBA in commerce after specialising in actuarial studies oi will be one of the most sought after grads statewide period

When you compound commerce and actuarial science many many opportunities in finance as a financial data analyst or advanced econometric analyser.

And yes the work is incredibly full on top 4 courses in the state for difficulty.

But the pay is good and the work is a challenging but rewarding.

Melbourne is better for actuarial studies technically as it's done the problem longer and has better networking.

But the Melbourne model kills It really.

The fact they would wan tyou to do non commonwealth supported further study and don't offer further degrees means my advice for Melbourne is to stay away.

It's not the University it once was and I think spurred by commonwealth legislative changes the change to the Melbourne model was a negative one for students and financially motivated.

Mod edit: merged double post

[Coffee]

Not a BComm/Sci student, so take my advice with a grain of salt.

I accepted it, and I got offered science at Melbourne for the second round.

BComm has an Actuarial Studies major. Would you be looking at transferring?

even though my first round offer was my first preference.

I have read that acturial science is really full on, and also that the job opportunites aren't great. The distance to Monash is also a factor, since it is pretty far away (hour and a half to get there). I know that ultimately, it is my decision, but could I have some advice?

Surely, you knew this beforehand? You must have put Monash has your first preference for a reason. What’s changed?

Do you think you’ve just got a bit of cold feet?

It takes me 1 hour to travel, so I understand. I know people who do 1.5-2 hours travel too. Ultimately, it’s a personal thing. Some people don’t mind long travelling time, and others do. Is this something you think would affect you?

Melbourne is good if you want to study a lot of different things, or you’re not entirely sure which path to go down. But, if you’re set on Actuarial, I can’t see any reason why you shouldn’t go to Monash.

The fact they would wan tyou to do non commonwealth supported further study and don't offer further degrees means my advice for Melbourne is to stay away.

Not quite true. CSP places are offered, but they’re more competitive.

[thesplaaashman]

Who told you Actuarial science job opportunities aren't great?

Trust me if you do well in that degree petals underske a MBA in commerce after specialising in actuarial studies oi will be one of the most sought after grads statewide period

When you compound commerce and actuarial science many many opportunities in finance as a financial data analyst or advanced econometric analyser.

And yes the work is incredibly full on top 4 courses in the state for difficulty.

But the pay is good and the work is a challenging but rewarding.

You say that when you compound commerce and actuarial science, many opportunites come up but obviously, I am not doing that. I am pairing actuarial science and science, and you say this will still give me good opportunuties, correct? Perhaps I have been misinformed then.

[thesplaaashman]

Not a BComm/Sci student, so take my advice with a grain of salt.
BComm has an Actuarial Studies major. Would you be looking at transferring?
Surely, you knew this beforehand? You must have put Monash has your first preference for a reason. What’s changed?

Do you think you’ve just got a bit of cold feet?

It takes me 1 hour to travel, so I understand. I know people who do 1.5-2 hours travel too. Ultimately, it’s a personal thing. Some people don’t mind long travelling time, and others do. Is this something you think would affect you?

Melbourne is good if you want to study a lot of different things, or you’re not entirely sure which path to go down. But, if you’re set on Actuarial, I can’t see any reason why you shouldn’t go to Monash.
Not quite true. CSP places are offered, but they’re more competitive.

Yeah I knew that the job opportunites apparantly aren't great, and also that the course is full on before putting it as my first preference. The thing is that I am not sure if I want to do actuarial science or not, and that is why I have paired it with a science degree. If I do science at melbourne for example, I can undertake further study at the post grad level. I know I can do the same thing at Monash, except it will take an extra year and also if actuarial science ends up being not for me, my marks will take a massive hit, especially because of the difficulty of it. That's why I am considering science at Melbourne.

[The Special One]

You mentioned Commerce specialist and actuarial studies.

What I said stands for combining commerce and actuarial studies if you don't wish to do that then perhaps job opportunities would be limited.

Although if you check grad stats any job with science that's not engineering or medical science related has limited job opportunities.

[VanillaRice]

Yeah I knew that the job opportunites apparantly aren't great, and also that the course is full on before putting it as my first preference. The thing is that I am not sure if I want to do actuarial science or not, and that is why I have paired it with a science degree. If I do science at melbourne for example, I can undertake further study at the post grad level. I know I can do the same thing at Monash, except it will take an extra year and also if actuarial science ends up being not for me, my marks will take a massive hit, especially because of the difficulty of it. That's why I am considering science at Melbourne.

Just want to add that if you decide to keep ComSpec/Science at Monash, and you end up not liking actuarial studies, say, after a semester, you can apply to transfer to either a Commerce/Science double, or a Science single degree. It's unlikely you'll lose any time, since you'll be able to credit your units.

[The Special One]

Just want to add that if you decide to keep ComSpec/Science at Monash, and you end up not liking actuarial studies, say, after a semester, you can apply to transfer to either a Commerce/Science double, or a Science single degree. It's unlikely you'll lose any time, since you'll be able to credit your units.

If you don't like something you may not do well in it and if you don't do well you may not have a successful application to transfer.

Monash WAM requirements for a course transfer are high. I can't speak for other unis but it's high at Monash.