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. Its list could be published as soon as next fall. Until then, parents can do their own sleuthing. During campus tours, watch for posters touting cheap drinks at bars, or too many empty beer cans in dorms. Time visits to see how students behave when they're not studying.