Traditional American cultural narratives about hard work, self-improvement, and "success"--moving from "rags to riches"--play a very important role in shaping the thinking of most college students, and most other Americans too, of course, regardless of age, class, ethnicity, or gender. This article presents several narratives that will help shape how people conceptualize their sense of self, how they measure and define "success," and how they conduct the daily business of their lives. For community college students especially, because they are often among the least financially advantaged in this culture, this American narrative has a very powerful--but not entirely uncomplicated--appeal.