The most overwhelming, important, consistent factor in determining whether you will be healthy, wealthy and wise is…

I read a very persuasive article this week that listed the value of choosing an elite college.

Very interesting, Ashley…

Well, I also read an article this week.   And it listed the majors that have the highest average income per graduate.

Thank you, Justin.

I didn’t know you could read…

That’s enough, Ashley.

I’ve got a secret for both of you (and, apparently for the authors of those articles).  The most overwhelming, important, consistent factor in determining whether you will be healthy, wealthy and wise is…

Only you.

(And yes, I will provide the links to the Platters, Yaz and Josh Kelley versions for the Grandparents, Parents and Students reading this.)  (And yes, I prefer the Yaz version.)

Only you, and you alone, can go to class, answer questions on tests, complete lab assignments, respond to job postings, interview for positions, make choices on which paths to walk, where to live, who to live with.  (And yes, for the smart alecks who suggest that others can complete lab assignments for you, please see me after this post is done.)

So, please stop treating the choice of major like a Sham-Wow and the choice of college like a protein shake.   When we talk about the return on investment in higher education, what so many fail to realize is that the investment is in…wait for it…

Only You.

Brad, if I gave you a top of the line Louisville Slugger and David Wright a Toys-R-Us kids model bat, who would hit for a higher average?

I don’t know, Mr. Szarek.  I’ve been taking 100 swings each morning in the cage.  And Wright’s really struggling the past week.

100 swings my… Shut up, Caitlin…Swing this, Brad…

Okay, everyone, settle down.

I think even Brad would agree that he is not going to hit as well as David Wright, even with the most expensive bat in the world.  And even the best hitting instructor in the world can only work with the talent already there.

Your major may be your light saber and College may be your Yoda, but they are not the ones who will lift that plane out of the swamp.

Mr. Szarek, what the hell are you talking about?

You can learn from your instructors and you can use your resources wisely.  But, ultimately, you need to find the force inside of you.  Because the only one who is going to fight your battles, earn your money and build your future is

Only you.  LINK TO THE PLATTERS’ SONG.

Only you. LINK TO THE YAZ SONG.

Only you. LINK TO THE JOSH KELLEY SONG.

As always, I welcome your comments and questions.  Please feel free to email me at info@cc4therestofus.com, call or text me at 908-403-3819, join me on Facebook on “College Counseling for the Rest of Us” and join me on Twitter at @MichaelCCR.   And now on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/CCRMichael?feature=mhee.