That resolve grew after visiting schools that seemed awash in liquor. O'Shaughnessy didn't consider schools where fraternities dominated social life. On campus tours she grilled students about the party scene. She liked what she found at George Washington University. O'Shaughnessy, now a freshman, has sipped a few drinks, but she happily spends most weekend nights at dance clubs or watching DVDs.
Experts offer other rules of thumb.
Schools with large fraternity systems traditionally harbor more excessive drinkers. Some studies also show heavier drinking at rural colleges, which have fewer off-campus entertainment options. Not surprisingly, Christian and women's colleges have less drinking. More definitive data are on the way. Last month Mothers Against Drunk Driving approved plans to begin ranking colleges based on how well they curb student drinking.