<p>I know from experience (not being in the program, but having close friends both with children and without children who are) that the Ada Comstock program at Smith is great. There is on campus housing available for families, it’s apartment style so you wouldn’t be eating in the campus dining rooms and you’d be living with other people who are either married or have children. Smith works with you closely to help you figure out your financial situation and how you’re going to provide for your kid during a time when you probably won’t have a job. There’s the whole Ada community to draw on, some but not all of whom will have kids. I think it’s definitely harder to integrate into the predominate campus culture with a child (you aren’t like other undergrads, you have responsibilities and a not very flexible schedule) however you will have this great Ada community which is sort of a campus culture within a culture and they will know what you are going through and will be able to really support you. Professors I find are very tolerant of childcare needs (they are parents too more often than not) and you have a campus full of female undergrads in need of cash many of whom are experienced babysitters. </p>
<p>So like others have said, I don’t know if the Ada Comstock program is the best, but it is there and it is the one I know, and it’s pretty good. I think it is the oldest program. Adas are accepted as a part of campus life, and like I said, I’ve had many good Ada friends whose wisdom and perspective I really value. It’s worth checking out certainly.</p>