I’m interested, what are the best colleges and/or universities in the U.S. and Canada for a financially independent single father from Switzerland with an eight-year-old son (then, currently 6 years)?
Some points:
Full-time education.
I'm (father) aged around 35.
Foreigner (Swiss). Before moving to the U.S. or Canada for education, I'll spend one or two years in the United Kingdom to learn English. Unfortunately, my English is extremely poor for know. Why not to the U.S. immediately? Swiss citizens do not need any type of visa to reside in the U.K. indefinitely, so it would be much simpler for me from the judicial point of view to learn English in the U.K. than in the U.S.
I'm not interested in a career-oriented education (having sufficient personal wealth to live, without having to work actively), so “not for employment, but for emprovement”... and personal enjoyment.
The Major in Classics (with special emphasis on Latin).
There is no connection between my source of income and desired area of study. At all. So I'm not "hunter for the best", but "hunter for the interesting"... and accepting colleges that would admit a foreigner who even don't planning to work professionally in the area of study after graduating.
Single-father friendly policies — the last in this list, but also THE most important. I am the only parent. And, after moving to the U.S., even grandparents wouldn't be available for help and support. So, I'm really interested in single-fathers friendly policies.
Do you have any ideas what colleges can it be?
Thanks a lot!
P.S. Sorry for my English, please. Learning only for the third month for now, and there would be long walk for acceptable language skills. Once again, sorry.
Not financial aid, I have sufficient funds of my own.
What do I talk about, is something like child care centres located inside the territory of college or university, available communities and groups of parenting students, some sorts of extracurricular activities involving children, etc, etc, etc.
You would be considered a non-traditional student (outside the usual age of 18-22). If you search under “college admissions” there is a separate section for nontraditional students in college confidential. I would think you might be happy at a university in a large city with a large percentage of international students, such as Boston University or NYU.
I suppose the Brexit effort might change the visa rules and disrupt your UK plans. I guess if you have a very large amount of money this is feasible, assuming you can get a visa to the US as well (which may become more difficult as well).
You will need to consider either the quality of public schools for your son or paying for a private school, and I assume neighborhood safety will be high on your list. So your living costs could be higher than the average student.
I agree that a larger university will probably have more non-traditional students. Without any test score or previous transcript information, it is pretty hard to make specific recommendations.
What about a lovely college town like Amherst, Massachusetts? There is a strong elementary school there (lots of children of faculty attend) - since your son is of school age, I’d assume that’s a consideration. There are five colleges located in that area, with public transportation that connects them all. The town itself is very pretty with lots to do: libraries, shops, restaurants, concert venues, cafes. Generally, it’s a very progressive and cosmopolitan area, with easy access to nearby Boston and New York City. See: University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Amherst College, et al.
It would not be difficult to secure after school care/activities for your son, given the large student population in the area. Additionally, UMASS Amherst is a research university with many non-traditional students.
This process may be difficult, but if you’re determined to at least explore it, you’ll need to consider not only childcare services but also elementary schools. Some universities have their own schools (for faculty children etc.) Enrolling your son in an on-campus “lab school” would be convenient (if cost isn’t an issue). Some of them may enroll relatively large numbers of international students.
My own alma mater, the University of Chicago, historically has been receptive to enrolling students outside the usual 18-21 age group. I had a classmate in his late 20s and another who must have been in his 60s (at least). UChicago has an excellent classics department as well as an on-campus laboratory school for nursery through high school. Admission to the college is extremely selective but if your qualifications are strong, you might want to consider it. Ask early if the Laboratory School would give admission priority to the child of a UChicago undergraduate.
To identify other colleges with strong classics departments, do a search for CC classics-related posts by warblersrule. He seems to be our resident expert on that subject. Here’s one thread: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/18793143#Comment_18793143
I suggest you narrow them down first to the ones that match your qualifications (?), then to the ones with on-campus lab schools. Securing admission concurrently, for both you and your son, may be tricky. Ask for help.
my thoughts: the elementary school that your son would attend would offer the most resources for you as a single father, rather than a college.
Find some colleges you like, then look closely at the elementary schools around that college. Look at their PTA or PTO (parent-teacher organizations). Look for after-school care, care options for your son on days off, and other resources. Getting tapped in to an active PTA/PTO can help you immeasurably; you’ll hear about the best summer camps, the best teachers, sports teams for your son, who has older kids who might babysit for you, and you will meet the parents of your son’s classmates who might be able to help you. I think the idea of a small college town would be good; where so many in the town are involved with the college.