Comments on: Party Schools: Choose a College or University by its Alcohol Policy

By: Mark Montgomery

Mark Montgomery — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:13:37 +0000

Hi, Tracy. All colleges have “no drinking” policy for underage students. It’s the law. However, in most colleges, there will be a sizable majority of students who do drink–often to excess. Most of the schools where drinking is truly frowned upon are strongly religious in character (Brigham Young is usually the archetypal “dry” university). That said, I toured a relatively buttoned-down Baptist university in the South with very rigid rules against underage drinking…and as the tour guide passed his fraternity, he casually mentioned his house was on probation for drinking violations.
In order to give you a solid list of schools, I’d need to know much more about you–including your religion. I’d also need to know more about the things you do like to do, and to perhaps discuss some ways in which to navigate the average campus on which drinking is a relatively big deal. I hope this helps a little bit: let me know if you’d like to get some more personalized advice in this vein. Best of luck!

By: Tracy

Tracy — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 06:49:11 +0000

Hi Mark. Do you think you could suggest some good colleges which have fun events and activities but at the same time have a no drinking policy or at least a low drinking rate? I’m in the process of choosing a college and I’m very confused. Thank you!

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Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:59:09 +0000

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Carnival of Family Life: In Praise of Mom Edition | Colloquium — Sun, 24 May 2009 19:24:08 +0000

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Carnival of College Admissions : College Admissions Counseling — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:01:54 +0000

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By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:36:21 +0000

Hi, Jenny, and thanks for the comment. I think you’re right: rules must be enforced to be effective. Problem is that kids’ experience tells them that rules about underage drinking are very rarely enforced–or perhaps unenforceable altogether. Statistics also show that underage binge drinking remains very high–at historical highs–even though the law says this should not be happening. So the question boils down to this: should the rules be better enforced with more draconian measures and heavier punishments? Or are the rules inappropriate ways to teach kids about responsible alcohol use? This debate will no doubt continue…what are your thoughts?
Thanks for stopping by!

By: Jenny

Jenny — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:03:02 +0000

i dont know i think every college has a house full of drunks that some kids will get dragged into. rules are never followed if they know they wont get caught.