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…

she had discovered.

Two weeks later the committee met to discuss borderline and priority cases. Amanda’s application was among them—not because she was weak, but because fifteen hundred and fifty places for fifty-two thousand applicants makes even exceptional files precarious. I recused myself when her name came up, citing a family conflict. Rules exist continue reading …