raul.carmo

@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).

I got a plan strong on data because of all the WhatsApp texting/calling/video calling. Some companies give you an international text plan, but I have never used that because no one in my home country uses text anymore. 
When I got back from the field, I got a SIM card at the airport and months later I migrated to another company because that one was not giving me good coverage. Before then, I had bought a (blocked) phone in target with a $35 plan (now I pay $40). 

I was wondering about this to so looked into it and found a company called US Mobile that lets you pick exactly what you want from a monthly phone contract (i.e. no. of minutes, texts and amount of data), and you can bring your own device to use with their contract. Also just as fuzzylogician said, the company uses two of the big four carrier networks so looks like it gets pretty good service around the country. It doesn't look like you have to pay a deposit either, and the company actually has a partnership with some US universities which means that if you're a student there, you can pick up a SIM card from the International Office when you arrive for free (or get it shipped if your university isn't on their list of partners). It sounds pretty good to me, and I think that's the option I will go for

I enrolled on a monthly plan with T-Mobile when I first entered the USA. They asked for proof of F-1 or J-1 status (I-20 or DS-2019, respectively) and used that to open an account for me even with no credit history in the US. No credit is not that bad....for things like cell phone and utilities, bad credit is what they're looking for. 
However, for internet with AT&T and my city's water & power (utilities), they asked for a several hundred dollar deposit. In AT&T's case, it was applied against my first few bills (so you just have to pay a bit up front) but for the city's utilities the deposit was only refunded when I finally closed my account (without interest either boo! ? )

You might want to look into different companies, including the smaller ones that use the big carries' networks. Sometimes their terms and conditions vary quite a lot. I personally got a prepaid phone to get started, but I know it's possible to get a plan, sometimes by putting down some deposit. Once you're in town, try and see if your university has an arrangement with one or more carrier, or try to visit a branch near the university to find out more. The ones near a university are usually better at dealing with international students than other random branches. This is also true for banks and other places where not having a SSN might cause some inconvenience. 

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.

Hello there @raul.carmo. I did my undergraduate at SUNY Buffalo, so I may be able to help you out here. And you are definitely right, the frigid winters can catch you off guard if you are not prepared for it. Be ready to wear snow/hiking boots, and warm jacket almost everyday during your studies (except for summer). An average meal in Buffalo can vary for $5 to $20, depending on what you want to eat. You can order Pizza from Papa John's all day for crazy cheap, or choose to cook for an entire week in the freezer, or even eat out everyday in school. There are major supermarkets in the area that those shuttle buses mentioned below will potentially bring you to, so you can do your groceries. (Wegmans, Traders Joe, Tops, Walmart, etc.) You can get good deals if you choose to buy ingredients and cook by yourself at home. Surviving with your assistantship is definitely possible, I have had friends who survive on less.
Regarding housing, you have a couple of options actually.  The North Campus at Buffalo is a rather safe place to live in on or off, the only difference is the cost and method of transportation to school.
Ideally, you have 3 options. Live on campus, Live off campus, and Rent your own house/apartment. Each with its pros and cons.
If you choose to live on-campus, these are the options for you to live as a Graduate Student:
http://www.buffalo.edu/campusliving/find-your-home/where-can-i-live.html
You can choose between: Creekside Village West Apartments, Flickinger Court Apartments, Flint Village Apartments, Hadley Village Apartments, South Lake Village Apartments, Ellicott Complex Residence Halls, South Campus Residence Halls (not applicable to you since you're going to North Campus for school.)
The room rates can be found here:
http://www.buffalo.edu/campusliving/apply-for-housing/rates.html
Taking Flint Village Apartments as a gauge, the 1bed/1bath option for 9 months comes up to be $10,160, which is about ~$1129/month. (Flint is a great place to stay at, I had many friends who lived there during their studies.) Benefits of on-campus housing include proximity to school, and convenient shuttle bus to your class or lab. You can read up on more benefits here: http://www.buffalo.edu/campusliving/find-your-home/see-whats-included.html
If you choose to live off-campus, read up here first: http://www.buffalo.edu/campusliving/find-your-home/living-off-campus.html
Then you have two broad possibilities:
1.) American Campus: https://www.americancampus.com/student-apartments/ny/buffalo
American Campus offers off-campus housing at 3 locations around SUNY North Campus which is convenient for students as well. 
- University Village at Sweethome: https://www.americancampus.com/student-apartments/ny/buffalo/university-village-at-sweethome
- Villas on Rensch: https://www.americancampus.com/student-apartments/ny/buffalo/villas-on-rensch
- Villas at Chestnut: https://www.americancampus.com/student-apartments/ny/buffalo/villas-at-chestnut-ridge
With the exception of Rensch, the other two have options for individual 1bed/1bath options, ranging from $1059/mth at Chestnut, $1069/mth at Sweethome. If you do not mind having room mates, you can opt for the 4bed/4bath options at all 3 places, where you will share common areas and have your own bed and bath. Price start at $659/mth at Sweethome, to $809/mth at Rensch. They are pretty decent, and have plenty of facilities which you can use too. You can read more in their respective websites above. I had friends who lived on all 3 of these places, and they are all reasonably priced and has shuttle bus to SUNY Buffalo North Campus as well.
2.) Private Rentals: Craigslist, MJPeterson, etc.
These private rental apartments/ houses are off campus as well, and can be found on rental sites or generally by searching for Buffalo NY Rentals. They are not recommended unless you are contemplating getting a car to travel around. As private rentals do not come with shuttle bus or any access to transportation (public transportation is very scarce in Buffalo), you are better off considering the other options mentioned above if you are not intending to purchase a car.
Finally, regarding taxes, information can be found here:
http://www.buffalo.edu/administrative-services/for-faculty-staff/international-emps-students.host.html/content/shared/www/administrative-services/public/bits-of-info/international/tabs-for-international-taxes/international-students.host.html/content/shared/www/administrative-services/public/bits-of-info/international/employment-for-international-students.host.html/content/shared/www/administrative-services/public/ub-forms/tax/it2104-new-york-state-withholding-allowance-certificate.detail.html
I believe, if I did not read incorrectly, the taxes at NY might be as high as 14% if I'm not wrong, depending on your combination of funding packages (fellowships, assistantships, etc).
I hope it helps you out!

Sup friends!

Has anyone got the acceptance from UT Austin? Got my interview three weeks ago, but I still did not get anything.
UIC sent me an admission recommentation from the department two weeks ago. However they told, that the office of admissions & records would confirm my admission by a separate email. Is it normal, that the official confirmation comes in a weeks? April is coming, I'm a little worried.

Congrats!  That is a good school and good location.  I do recall reading that stipends and tuition assistantships are available.  Your stipend should go far in that location.  https://chemistry.buffalo.edu/graduate/financial-support/

I just got accepted there!

Yeah the profile pic works. Just got in Cornell! 

I'm not really sure why a lot of people are giving up hope. It's the beginning of February. Many people I've talked to have received acceptances in February. If the results page was anything to go off of then that would mean only like 10 people got into Yale this year, 8 to Harvard, etc etc. The results page is extremely biased. Most people don't even know this website exists. Yale acceptances are probably still coming out I would imagine and I'm assuming most schools are still making acceptances. I don't trust the results page and I don't really trust a lot of the information on this thread. Someone said that uchicago was gonna release all decisions by today and that hasn't happened. Someone said Yale was gonna release all decisions last Friday and that didn't happen. Don't give up hope!

Accepted into UC Merced. Going to the visitation event in a few weeks.

I got the call on January 19. Their visit weekend is 2/23-2/25, and the deadline to RSVP is 2/14 so they might do another wave. BTW, I applied for physical chem. 

In the acceptance e-mails, UF has their visitation weekend on March 23-25 and GT has theirs on Jan 25-27 and March 1-3. So there's still time!

Not yet. IST Austria results will come first I guess. It's hard to get into UofUtah! x_x

Don't lose hope José, I was afraid that it would be only rejections and my first answer was actually an acceptance with full tuition and stipend. Now I am waiting for other programs to contact me, but at least now I know that in August I'll be doing my PhD in the US... If you have a good CV and prove them that you're capable of dealing with grad school than I believe it can make up for your citizenship
Btw, to which programs are you applying?
 

Just got an email from Michigan State.
"On behalf of the Chemistry Department Admissions Committee, we are making contact to let you know that your file has moved beyond the preliminary stage. At this point we would like to invite you to visit the Chemistry Department to give us and you a chance to further explore possibility of admissions. We will arrange for your visit to campus and have you meet with faculty and arrange for tours of our facilities if desired. We hope you are able to take advantage of this opportunity. "
Looks like an interview, so that's nerve wracking. But we'll see how it goes?!

Someone complied data for all the submitted gradcafe admission results for the past five years and organized it by subject.  It gives some insight into the typical timeline of admission results for the more competitive schools.
Link to thread :
Chemistry Results: https://imgur.com/a/U5x91

Accepted to Harvard today and Stanford on Friday! Both by email. 

Admitted to the University of South Carolina!!! I know it is not a top program but I was so worried I wouldn't get any acceptances at all I can't describe how happy I am

I'd say your relative lack of research experience and low GPA is more concerning than the subject GRE. 3.6 months of full time research isn't a lot - I've had around 3 semesters of research (ie around what you have) plus two full years of research and I wouldn't even consider my application strong for your programs.

neuroscience is full of awkward people so you should feel like home (just kidding  )

I got accepted to FIU for the PhD in Forensic Chemistry. 

Got in to Colorado state! Definitely my backup school but I’m still excited to finally get an acceptance. Does anyone on here know much about the program (organic)?