Her father recognized her capabilities and potential and set about to cultivate them by encouraging an early and sound education for his daughter.

[2] Comstock began her undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota in 1892, where she was a member of Delta Gamma woman's fraternity.

One of the most important tenets of her educational philosophy was the inculcation in young women of self-respect, one aspect of which was knowing how to employ oneself.

Ada believed very strongly throughout her entire life that a college education should inspire women to take a part in the shaping of the world.

[1] She was a founding member and one of the five American voting delegates to the first conference of the International Federation of University Women in London in 1920 and at the second in Paris in 1922.

[5][6] She spent 20 years leading the school, strengthening its academic programs and, in 1943, persuaded Harvard to accept classroom coeducation.

[7] In addition to her academic career, Comstock was appointed to the National Committee on Law Observation and Enforcement, known as the Wickersham Commission, in 1929.

[10] Ada Comstock Notestein died of congestive heart failure at her home in New Haven, Connecticut, on December 12, 1973.