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…

because I needed to know, “What tipped it?” “The essay,” he replied. “Everyone respected the academic record, but the essay made them lean forward. One committee member said it showed rare intellectual independence. Another said it read like the beginning of an actual writer.” He handed me the summary sheet. I looked at the words admit, admit, admit,continue reading …