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…

built. I had left college and returned to academia by a road no one in my family would ever have endorsed. At thirty I was promoted to assistant professor. At thirty-one I published a collection of essays about publishing, ambition, class, and the mythology of traditional success. It did well enough to surprise everyone, including me. At thirty-two continue reading …