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…

my aunt Rachel—the failure who became a dean—not because she proved everyone wrong, but because she was willing to be misunderstood while she built the right life.” I sat back in my chair and stared at the wall for a long time. Every professional instinct I possessed activated at once. Conflict of interest. Recusal. Procedure. Fairness. Yet beneath continue reading …