<p>Assuming that the school is the problem and not the kids is part of the problem.</p>
<p>Substance abuse didn’t start because of a school, it started because for whatever reasons a kid decided to put substances in his/her body.</p>
<p>I don’t want to completely absolve the schools of responsibility for the campus they create, but knowing your kid is the best way to determine fit.</p>
<p>Is your kid easily swayed by the opinions of others or to peer pressure. If so than you may want a more Puritan college. Is your child prone to very low emotional lows, if not depression? If so, sending them far without any support will be tough. Same thing for the homebody.</p>
<p>Anyway, my advice still stands. The kid is trying to get to know the colleges. The parents really need to study their kids. Too many parents try to insert themselves in too much saying “when I was young…” or “I went to X school…” or “My parents never/always did…” We have to take us out of the equation and focus on them. Then we focus on our budget because that determines a lot too.</p>