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…

down look competitive. “I’m dropping out of college,” I said. Not “I’m thinking about it.” Not “I need time.” Just the truth, stripped clean. My mother’s hand froze halfway to her mouth. My father set down his glass with a hard little clink that sounded louder than it should have. Jennifer stared at me as if I had announced that I planned to throw continue reading …