Neuronista

Wegmans and Family Dollar. Furniture is expensive here so a lot of people drive to Ikea in Canada

If anyone cares, I just noticed that these coasters are back in stock right now 

You'll likely experience the full change of weather so I would pack accordingly...it will still be warm in august/September....also if you have some technology that traps warmth or sunlight in a jar bring that too

That's amazing.

omg that is great.

I got my MS PI a stainless steel travel mug with a leather wrap. One of my friends does embossing, and she embossed the leather for me with the ribbon diagram of the protein he got his current grant for that I worked on with him.

If he likes coffee and has a sense of humor, I'd suggest this mug from PhD Comics. I gave one to my advisor, who got a kick out of it.

Hi everyone. 

I've been working as a research assistant in a lab and was applying for grad school. I got accepted into a PhD program, and to my surprise, the PI of the lab in which I'm working got me a present (it's a book about the field I got accepted into).

What should I give him back? He is relatively young. He likes coffee (but says he's trying to cut back on it).

He is also one of the people who wrote my recommendation letters.

Thanks!

You don't have to reciprocate. He makes a lot more money than you, hence, he provided an educational gift. A thank you card will be sufficient.

While what MidwesternAloha said is true, I would disagree. If you want to go a little bit further and reciprocate then there's no reason not to. Given that he is young in the field too, there's still great opportunities for you to collaborate possibly. And everyone likes a small token of appreciation! He did help you get into grad school.
 
You have a lot of options to play with for a gift. Being in neuroscience, a token to do with the brain or neurons come to mind. Maybe a mug with tea packets in it to help him leave the coffee scene?

Thanks everyone! There are some very good suggestions on this tread! It made me think about what I'm going to do as well. I'm planning to do mine when I get my new email from my school and apartment address, then email them a small note of thanks and then mail a card and a small gift (something from the school or something that would please them) from my new address (as I wouldn't have gotten here without them).

Hi all and thank you for your suggestions. I like the idea of getting him something from the place or university I'm going to.

I also LOOOOVE these coasters, maybe I'll have to wait till they're back in stock to get a set for myself!
 
 
Thanks again everyone!

I would say a thank you card would be fine, and to also thank him for the rec letter. But if you were looking for a gift, here are some really cool brain coasters! (or maybe just for yourself  )

Edit: darn it they're out of stock. 

A handwritten card with a sincere thank you message inside would be enough. 
 
Maybe some memorabilia from the place (university-branded, or something ubiquitous to the state) you got accepted to? 

I second a handwritten card or something from the place you got accepted.

I second the idea of something from the place you got accepted. My PI spent time going over my list of schools with me, giving general application advice, wrote me a terrific LOR, etc. I wrote him a short letter, thanking him for his help through the process and his guidance in my MS research and got him a coffee mug from the school I will be attending. I think it is a small but thoughtful/appropriate gift.

I wrote a thank you card and I got my LOR writers a small gift like a nice box of chocolates, a tea sampler set, etc. depending on what I knew about them.

Hello everyone,
I will be attending UB next fall as well, in math department. Would you have any suggestions before moving there except for bringing the thickest and warmest clothes I have? I am really concerned about going to Buffalo from JFK. I am thiking about this Greyhound, but I tried it when I was in US 3-4 years ago and it was a painful experience. Does anyone know a better option?
Hope to meet you all in this September ((:

the US news report rankings are almost useless- they are just based on reputation. look at the NRC rankings (though the data is a little old): http://www.nap.edu/rdp/
They rank 94 neuroscience programs based on research, student support, and diversity- you can look at specific data based on what's important to you, or you can use Phds.org to do it for you. you can also try searching for specifc school names on US news.

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to let you all know that I've accepted my offer from the University at Buffalo. Thanks all for your help and advice!

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to let you all know that I've accepted my offer from the University at Buffalo. Thanks all for your help and advice!

That helps a lot. I have always been receiving mixed responses toward Buffalo. People have been lamenting over its rustbelt status of a city and this and that. But I'm glad to hear from you many positive points. I'm visiting this weekend so I will definitely keep asking questions about the city. Thanks a lot for helps! 

Hey,
Thanks for the advice, it is appreciated. I still don't know what to do. I do not have a car and it is unlikely that I will have one. Everyone says from South to North campus, shuttle is really useful. I will be there around 20th of August, and I am planning to find a flat before my arrival. I will check this off-campus housing web site Buffalo has. Also I do not wish to live in a crowded flat (not more than 3 people).
Can I ask about heating? I heard that it is extremely cold over there. Should I really check the houses where heating is included? 
I am not a big biker, but do you think it would be possible bike to the North from Amherst without getting frozen?
Thanks!

Hi there, PhD student in Biomedical sciences here--I live in Amherst which is basically where North Campus is and south campus is just south. Live in this town, Elmwood/Allentown are a clusterf*** in winter time. Amherst they actually clear the roads and fill potholes. Also a lot of the good bars are in Amherst if you want a quality drink. More happening places are in Elmwood but I would not want to live in the area, it is a mess.

Hello everyone,
I have been through all the pages and thanks for the info form all the users!
I am also accepted to the Phd program in Math department and I am thinking about accepting it.
Recently, I have started looking for the housing options, and I still can not make up my mind. Department is in the North Campus and everyone posted that it is really far(I will rely on public transport also). I will be a grad student but I like to go out and get a beer in the evening most of the time. Also I'd be happy about easy access to the transportation. So I am kinda sceptical about Elmwood and Allentown. 
I also understood that getting to North campus from South is kind of easier. So which areas would you recommend for a mathematician ((: in South campus area? As i said, I would be happy to go out and grab a beer from time to time with friends, so this is a quite important criterion for me ((:
One more question about getting to Buffalo, I will be flying to US since i am an international student. The last time I have been to US I had to go to south states, I went to JFK and took the bus Greyhound from New York. So what would be the most efficient and cheapest option to get to Buffalo? Going to JFK and taking another flight from there, taking the train or the bus? I'd appreciate any suggestion!