LACs in Northeast known to have least drinking/drugs?

College Search & Selection
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<p>Hi - I’m not touching ^ with a ten-foot pole.</p>

<p>The comment about race and lower rates of drinking actually makes sense to me. Some kids have more to lose than others. I would attribute class to the mix. D has a full scholarship to a private college – one of the conditions is no drugs or alcohol. Her dad and I were tickled pink. We get to play “good cop” for a change.</p>

<p>Talking it over with S…he isn’t as concerned as I (surprised?). He does not want to take off his list the two schools with bad rep’s for drinking and drugs, even though he agrees that this might problematic if he goes there. But he is coming at it with the idea that schools which 1) have tons of clubs and activities and 2) offer some different options for housing will make life manageable (I think Pootie and others mentioned this). Going into it with his eyes open, I guess. Also avoiding schools where frats dominate the scene. The school with the most has about 25% frat/sorority members.</p>

<p>As for the rural setting, yes, it makes sense. Having even a small town to walk to would be nice. It is one of the very first criteria S is using in making the list, and the reason he discounted a particular school. But there is another, more competitive school in a rural setting…and that one is also staying on the list for the time being.</p>

<p>We will probably revisit this on another round, as time gets closer. I wish I could avoid it completely but that’s me, Mom strikes again. It really is on every campus. He feels confident that he can deal with it, taking it step by step. I am obviously the one who needs to take more of that attitude.</p>

<p>Thanks for all your comments, I really do appreciate it!</p>

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<p>I’m unconvinced by the rural vs urban argument. Plenty of urban colleges have hardcore party cultures – involving both drinking and drugging. What makes sense to me in the choice between rural and urban is what you like to do in your spare time. </p>

<p>If you like to shop and go clubbing and generally enjoy the city buzz, then you’ll be bored in a rural setting. If, on the other hand, you like to hiking, winter sports and generally enjoy nature, then you’ll find plenty to do in the country.</p>

<p>My son was (is) in the latter category. He chose rural colleges twice, for undergrad and graduate and took full advantage of the environment. He went in a very light drinker and come out the same. Sure, some of his classmates drank more than was good for them, but I don’t know that that wouldn’t have been the case in New York City, Philly or Boston.</p>

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<p>Here’s another study citing lower alcohol use at HBCUs:
<a href=“http://etd.auburn.edu/etd/bitstream/handle/10415/3196/Andy%20Tseng%20Dissertation.pdf?sequence=2[/url]”>http://etd.auburn.edu/etd/bitstream/handle/10415/3196/Andy%20Tseng%20Dissertation.pdf?sequence=2&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>This dissertation cites various prior studies that reported similar findings…</p>