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…

as if once the first sentence escaped she could not afford to stop. “I told myself I was being practical. That I was the responsible one. That someone had to say the hard thing because you were… impulsive. Emotional. But that wasn’t all it was.” She inhaled shakily. “I was jealous.” The word startled me more than any apology could have. “Jealous?” continue reading …