This study examined the perceived benefits of drinking alcohol among freshmen women as they relate to the college transition. Using a sample of incoming freshman college students we examined the changes in alcohol use three weeks prior to college and again within a month of arriving. We also examined the relationship between perceived benefits of alcohol use and actual alcohol use (measured by AUDIT). Results show that courage accounts for the greatest variance in AUDIT scores for freshmen women during their transition to college, while non-significant were the three week weeks prior to college (p<0.001). Differences in alcohol use may be a function of unique personal courage among women.