In search of the perfect college

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Heavy drinking can, and often does, lead to poor grades. A 2009 study by the Center for Collegiate Mental Health at Penn State University found “a definite link between the number of binge drinking episodes and grade-point average — the students who abused alcohol more frequently also had lower grade-point averages.”

Better grades, generally speaking, equate to improved job prospects. If you graduate from a good to excellent school cum laude or above, you will very likely land a job with better-than-adequate compensation. Finish with a below-average GPA because you spent more time clubbing than studying, and your job prospects will be more limited.

Am I suggesting that young people shouldn’t go away to college? No, not at all. Going away can build independence and character while opening a student’s eyes to the wider world. It did for me.

But graduating high school seniors shouldn’t automatically rule out commuting to college, as I did. From a long-term economic –– and health –– standpoint, it makes a good deal of sense.

For thorough and unbiased information about the nation’s 3,800 institutions of higher education, without the rank-order lists, check out the College Board’s website, bigfuture.collegeboard.org.

Scott Brinton is senior editor of the Bellmore and Merrick Heralds and an adjunct professor at the Hofstra University Graduate Journalism Program. Comments? SBrinton@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 203.

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