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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.