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…

donors with impossible expectations, but waiting to meet my niece—really meet her—made my palms sweat. When she walked in, I recognized Jennifer’s face in hers immediately, then just as quickly saw everything different. Jennifer had always worn her intelligence like armor. Amanda wore hers like a live wire. She looked around, spotted me, and stopped continue reading …