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…

myself off the roof. “You’re what?” my father said. “Dropping out,” I repeated. “I’m leaving Northwestern at the end of the semester.” My mother was the first to recover enough to speak in a softer tone, the tone she used when she wanted to sound reasonable while pushing me back into place. “Rachel, is this some kind of joke?” “No.” I kept my voice continue reading …