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…

“I know,” she said again, softer. “I don’t have any excuse that makes that better.” That mattered. Not because it repaired anything instantly, but because she did not reach for explanation as absolution. We talked after that in halting, damaged honesty. About Amanda’s love of writing. About the essay Jennifer still had not read and was now afraid to.continue reading …