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…

had made it clear over the years that I was not the sort of influence she wanted around her daughter. I represented impracticality, disorder, bad optics. Now suddenly Amanda existed again in family conversation because I had acquired a title with the right institutional shine. “I’m sure she’s great,” I said. My mother made a soft sound that was meant continue reading …