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…

already carrying too many manuscripts home, already living in that familiar state of ambitious exhaustion that makes every invitation feel impossible. But I took the class for the extra money and walked into the room expecting to survive it. Instead, something in me recognized itself there. The students were uneven, nervous, hungry, defensive, brilliant continue reading …