raul.carmo

Is there any international student here that is familiar with GeoBlue health insurance? I would like to know more about the plan, the coverage, if it's easy to arrange doctor appointments and exams, about urgent care etc. Health is one of my biggest concerns since I will be by myself in the US, so that's why I want to choose a good insurance, even it's not the one recommended by UB.

@TakeruK paying only what you use is a great feature and I also like how google is very straightforward and professional in their services, so I believe I won't have to wait for hours in line to have a problem fixed (it happens here where I live sometimes). I want a Google Pixel 2 phone and it can be bought with the plan and paid in installments, I am just not sure if I need an American credit card to enroll in Project Fi or if paying by check or other payment method is fine. In their website they mention you need a credit check, so I believe I won't qualify for this plan.

@imagical that sounds a good deal, I will take a look... When I lived in the US many people told me that I was not allowed to have a contract phone because I didn't have a SSN, but then I got mine and forgot to check what were the options for me (I was about to leave the states so I didn't care).

Thanks for the information guys! By the way, have you heard of Google's Project Fi? I found it while doing some research on mobile plans and it really caught my attention because you pay a max of 80USD/month and have unlimited data and minutes. I'm not sure about the coverage map though (how it compares to other companies). If someone had any experience with this "carrier" please let me know what were your insights.

Hey all, I am moving from Brazil to Buffalo-NY in August to start my PhD and I was wondering what options I have for mobile phone plans as a non-citizen. I lived in the US before as an exchange student and I also have a social security number, but by that time I had those pre-paid phones which you can buy on walmart and have no contract, but they have very limited access to the internet and additional data packages are very expensive. As I will spend much more time in the states this time (around 5 years), I would like to have one of those monthly plans that have far more benefits than a prepaid one. What are the possibilities for an international student like me, (non-citizen, without a credit history but holding a social security number)? Will it be possible to enroll in any of these popular carriers (AT&T, Verizon, TMobile) by the time I arrive in the US?

Hey all, I am moving from Brazil to Buffalo-NY in August to start my PhD and I was wondering what options I have for mobile phone plans as a non-citizen. I lived in the US before as an exchange student and I also have a social security number, but by that time I had those pre-paid phones which you can buy on walmart and have no contract, but they have very limited access to the internet and additional data packages are very expensive. As I will spend much more time in the states this time (around 5 years), I would like to have one of those monthly plans that have far more benefits than a prepaid one. What are the possibilities for an international student like me, (non-citizen, without a credit history but holding a social security number)? Will it be possible to enroll in any of these popular carriers (AT&T, Verizon, TMobile) by the time I arrive in the US?

Thank you for sharing this with us Eigen, although underestimated by advisors and even students, depression and other psychiatric conditions can lead to a decline in productivity, cognitive impairment and even more tragic situations such as self-mutilation and suicide. My master's advisor was a really nice person and helped me when I was going through a difficult time in my life, but I am aware that many professors are insensitive to students' suffering. My advice to new grad students is to think about your mental health even if you do not show signs of any problem regarding this issue. Find an activity that is pleasant for you and DO NOT let anyone (including your advisor/professor) drive you away from that, you are always more than a paper, an assignment, a poster, a qualification or a thesis. And if you feel things are getting out of track there is always someone who can help... If you can't find someone in your friend's circle or family to talk about your problems and concerns, most universities offer counseling services and even psychological/psychiatric appointments. There is always something you can do to relieve your burden, alternatives ranging from individual cognitive therapy, group therapy, medications, meditation, therapeutic writing, yoga, sports and many other types of therapies/activities available to a graduate student going through hard times.

Wow, thanks @Positivist for this awesome answer! It is so clarifying... Last week I randomly started a conversation with a former professor from my Master's institution and he coincidently went to UB for a post-doc last year, so he also gave me some good advice on how to live in Buffalo. I was worried that taxes would cut my stipend in a way that it would become difficult for me to pay living expenses each month, but you and my professor gave me a new perspective on this, now I am relieved. My professor told me that is easier to live without a car nearby the south campus than by the north campus because the first is closer to bus stations, market, stores, and walden gallery. He also told that north campus apartments are more expensive than the southern ones, but are located in a safer neighborhood, but I don't think violence is much of a problem in Buffalo (I come from Brazil so anywhere I go in the US will be safe for my standards haha). As I probably won't get a car during my first semester or year, I would like to live somewhere with easy access to points of interest (markets, stores, hospitals, bus/train stations etc)... Do you agree with him? It is true that the South Campus is more "connected" to these points than the North Campus?

Decided to accept SUNY Buffalo, it seems that UIC will only release acceptances in April and I couldn't wait. Even though UIC was my first choice I am glad that I'm going to Buffalo, it seems to be a good place to live and they have many faculty members doing research in my field.

Hey guys, I will be attending SUNY Buffalo this Fall for my PhD in Chemistry... I'm an international student from Brazil and as far as I know, the winter in Buffalo will be a major problem for someone who is used to live in a tropical country. As the chemistry department is located on the North campus, I would like to live close by it so I won't have to suffer a lot during the winter, any suggestions on good neighborhoods? And what is the best place/website to look for rooms to rent? I would prefer to live with another one or two students (in a private room). Also, my assistantship is approx. $26k per year... Have you any idea on how much state and federal taxes will I have to pay for this amount? Also, is it possible to live decently in the city with only the assistantship? Sorry for all of these questions, but I am feeling a little bit lost

not a word until now, but I'm not worried because even if I get an offer I won't be attending... I'll let you know if they contact me

I don't know either, my other admits have the April 15 deadline as well buy in my SUNY offer they wrote "Please indicate your acceptance of this offer by signing and returning one copy of this letter to chemgrad@buffalo.edu Please respond to this offer by no later than March 15, 2018.". SUNY is my second option so I will probably have to decide it by next week... I called UIC today and the graduate administrator told me that they are sending scattered acceptances, not in rounds like other universities... She was really nice and told me she will explain my situation to the program coordinator, ask him about my application status and will reach back to me by tuesday with an update. Hope it works, though I don't feel putting them under pressure will do me any good.

I have until next week to accept the offer from my 2nd choice university but I am still waiting for UIC (1st option) to contact me... If I don't get an answer by March 15 I will accept the offer from SUNY... Not what I want but it is also a good program.

I created a post in the Chemistry topic about interviews and some people replied with useful information... You might want to take a look

Is anyone still waiting for UIllinois Chicago? I don't want to call the department again to ask for an update because I have done so 3 times already. The final deadline for sending applications is today so I hope they will be done reviewing the remaining candidates until the of the month. If someone have an update please comment this post.