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…

made felt terrible while I was making them. What mattered was whether the difficulty was taking me toward myself or away from myself.” Amanda sat very still, absorbing that. “I think,” she said at last, “that’s what I’ve been trying to figure out.” “Good,” I told her. “That’s a better question than ‘What looks impressive?’”

On admitted students’ day,continue reading …