S2E299: Inside the Admissions Office: What Thousands of Family Conversations Reveal, With Alpha Admissions Director Cara Wilkinson

After speaking with thousands of families over the years, certain patterns begin to emerge. In this episode, MacKenzie sits down with Cara Wilkinson, Alpha Austin’s Director of Admissions, to explore the common threads she sees when families start questioning whether their current school environment is truly working for their child.

Drawing on more than two decades of experience across higher education, admissions, and education technology, Cara shares the deeper concerns that often sit beneath surface-level frustrations- and what parents tend to prioritize once they move beyond simply wanting school to be “fine.” The conversation also offers a clear, practical look at how families can think more intentionally about fit, values, and long-term outcomes when navigating school decisions.