When I Dropped Out At 20, My Sister Told Everyone: “She’s The One Who Didn’t Finish.” Twelve Years Later, I’m Yale’s Dean Of Admissions. One Essay Read: “My Family Moved Past My Aunt’s Setback.” The Name? Amanda Chen. My Niece. I Picked Up My Red Pen And…

route, the dropout decision, the publishing years, the later graduate work, the admissions role. What shook me was the moral clarity with which she interpreted those facts. Where my family had seen deviation, Amanda saw agency. Where Jennifer had seen embarrassment, Amanda saw courage. I realized then how much of family mythology depends on repetition continue reading …