S2E300: Inside the Alpha Admissions Office (Part 2), With Admissions Director Cara Wilkinson

In Part 2 of this conversation, MacKenzie and Alpha’s Director of Admissions, Cara Wilkinson, turn their focus to the application and admissions process at Alpha. Cara walks through how families typically move from initial curiosity to enrollment, what the school looks for beyond traditional markers, and why some parents end up saying no to Alpha. The conversation also offers practical guidance for parents navigating school decisions more broadly, including questions to ask, tradeoffs to consider, and how to evaluate whether any learning environment is truly serving their child- whether or not Alpha is part of their path.

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.

What does the latest science reveal about motivating young people? In Part 2 of this special episode, MacKenzie is joined by psychologist and researcher David Yeager, Ph.D., to continue their exploration of what truly motivates kids and young adults. Drawing from decades of research and insights from David’s national bestselling book, they unpack why many traditional motivation strategies fall short and what actually helps young people thrive.

What does the latest science reveal about motivating young people? In this special episode, MacKenzie is joined by psychologist and researcher David Yeager, Ph.D., for a wide-ranging conversation recorded with a live audience. Drawing from decades of research and insights from David’s national bestselling book, they unpack why many traditional motivation strategies fall short and what actually helps young people thrive. 

In this episode, MacKenzie walks through the results of Alpha’s end-of-year parent survey, offering a transparent look at where the school is delivering on its commitments and where there’s still room to improve. Drawing directly from parent feedback across both new and established campuses, MacKenzie shares what the data reveals about academics, culture, and consistency- and why the results give her strong confidence heading into the second half of the school year and admissions season.

How do we actually prepare teens to launch into adulthood? In part two, MacKenzie continues the conversation with Alpha student Alex as they go deeper into the real-life skills teens need to thrive on their own. Building on Alex’s upcoming eight-week experience living independently in a new city, this episode zooms in on the practical and emotional skills required for adulthood- from decision-making and self-management to confidence, resilience, and ownership.

How do we actually prepare teens to launch into adulthood? In this episode, MacKenzie is joined by Alpha student Alex, who’s cohosting the conversation to provide an inside look into Alpha's philosophy around cultivating real-world readiness in teens.As a high schooler, Alex is taking on a challenge most adults would hesitate to try. He'll be spending eight weeks living on his own in a new city halfway across the country to gain real business experience before graduation. His experience will serve as a case study about what kids truly need before they leave home- and how parents can start building independence, confidence, and autonomy long before senior year.

In Part 2 of the conversation, MacKenzie wraps up the discussion with Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and policy expert Jon Schnur, expanding the conversation further to include insights from state and workforce leaders across the country. Dan Hamlin, Oklahoma’s Secretary of Education, Mary Cypress Metz of Tennessee’s State Collaborative on Reforming Education, and Maria Flynn, President and CEO of Jobs for the Future share on-the-ground perspectives on what’s working, what’s broken, and what it will take to connect education reform to real economic opportunity for students and communities.

In this episode, MacKenzie is joined by two leaders on the frontlines of education innovation: Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and national education policy expert Jon Schnur. Jon has worked with presidents across party lines, including Obama, Bush, and Clinton, and is currently the CEO of America Achieves, an organization focused on expanding access to economic opportunity and clear pathways to good jobs.Together, Kevin and Jon share honest insights into the current state of education, drawing from their unique perspectives in government, policy, and on-the-ground reform to explore what it will actually take to create better outcomes for students and communities.

In Part 2, MacKenzie breaks down eleven learning science principles that reveal how kids really learn. Covering everything from memory and focus to motivation and mastery, this episode explains what the brain needs to learn faster, retain more, and build real confidence. It’s a practical crash course in what makes learning stick and how parents can spot environments that support the brain rather than fight it.