This episode of The Advancement Spot is a little bit different — I was honoured to sit in the guest seat as the incredible Kevin P Murphy stepped into the host role to lead our candid and inspiring discussion! 

As the host of The Reflect-On Podcast, Kevin explores inspiring stories, traumas, lessons, and reflections on fears, feelings, and what truly matters. In this episode, he guides us through a beautiful conversation that touches on Apply Yourself’s holistic vision, why we shouldn’t ignore the immense benefits of in-person learning, and how we can nurture and nourish our drive to succeed.

You’ll discover:

• How to embrace the moments of reflection and surrender that will help us reach our goals
• How education will likely shift in the future and how to maximize its benefits
• Why the idea of work-life balance is a lie (and what we should actually strive for!)
• How to avoid letting toxicity seep into your professional or academic life
• The power of using your privilege for good — and how it can help you build a beautiful legacy  

This no-limits conversation is the first of a two-part series. Be sure to tune into next week’s episode to experience our full journey!

Guest bio: Kevin P Murphy is an advocate for the power of honest and vulnerable conversation to help improve lives and grow actionable potential. As a Financial Planner and host of The Reflect-On Podcast, Kevin has learned that reflection, attention, and emotionality are perhaps the biggest catalysts for betterment we possess in our modern world. 

Timestamps:‌ ‌

01:35  Meet Kevin P. Murphy

02:16  About Adrienne

04:19  About Kevin

06:47  Being vulnerable on your path

08:51  Adrienne’s journey

15:08  Moments of surrender

21:20  Future of education

29:45  Holistic success

35:24  Privilege & legacy

38:29  Toxicity

44:14  Outro

Links:‌ ‌

Kevin P Murphy

Instagram: @kevin.p.murphy 

The Reflect-On Podcast

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

Many grad school applicants find writing their personal statement to be the trickiest part of the application process. While a student may excel at academic writing, crafting a clear and vibrant personal statement requires a different skill set and strategy!

Writing From the Inside: Centring Yourself in Your Own Experiences

When you’re writing an academic essay, you need to be thorough, balanced, critical, and objective. The most powerful personal statements, on the other hand, are energetic, distinctive, and full of spirit. After spending years being trained in academic writing, writing about your own experiences — and what they meant to you, emotionally or spiritually — can feel a little strange! In this episode, you’ll find tips and insights that will help you write an effective personal statement that feels like so much more than just a glorified CV.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The differences between academic and personal writing, and why these skills are not fully transferable 
• The mindset shift that will change the way that you approach your personal statement and allow you to reflect more easefully
• Why you should start writing your personal statement long before you think you need to
• The role that Starbucks played in the birth of Apply Yourself — and how the business was built almost accidentally! 

Timestamps:‌ ‌

00:46  Intro

01:56  Academic writing

03:26  Client example

04:50  Starbucks dissertation story

10:56  Be the centre

14:40  Outro

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

I'm thrilled to have you join me today as we delve into a heartfelt conversation with Priya, our determined client on a journey towards her academic dreams. In this episode, we explore Priya's transformative experience navigating the challenging landscape of graduate school applications. From moments of self-doubt to triumphant achievements, Priya shares valuable insights into the power of self-validation, consistency, and resource utilization.

Navigating Graduate School Applications with Confidence
Join us as we uncover the strategies and mindset shifts that propelled Priya towards success, offering invaluable lessons for anyone embarking on their own academic or professional journey. Let's dive in!

1. Priya initially believed her CV was strong but discovered its limitations through coaching with Apply Yourself, ultimately gaining a deeper understanding of her experiences and their relevance to her goals. She highlights the importance of infusing her personality and personal connection into the statement, moving beyond a purely intellectual approach.
2. Priya discussed the importance of revisiting her application after submission to reassure herself and reignite her confidence in her abilities.
3. Through coaching with Apply Yourself, Priya gained confidence in her abilities and learned how to approach interview questions strategically. She also developed a more positive mindset about her worthiness and success.
4. Priya's consistent dedication to the process, despite occasional challenges and nerves, contributed to her success.
5. Priya emphasizes the importance of seizing opportunities for support and guidance, such as finding coaching resources like Apply Yourself.
6. Priya encourages listeners to believe in themselves and their potential for growth, highlighting her own journey from uncertainty to confidence with the help of Apply Yourself.

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

I am so pleased to introduce my dear colleague and long-time friend, Francine! Fran is an in-house insurance defence lawyer and has been practising since 2017. She and I go way back - we first met at a boutique law firm where Fran was one of the lawyers I worked with, and we became fast friends. 

In this episode, Fran and I chat about her path to becoming a lawyer, and eventually transitioning careers across legal fields. She describes her winding, twisting road, beginning with her early interest in the legal system, her aspiration of working in a law firm, then preparing for the LSAT and her law school application, and ultimately, completing her law school education at the University of Ottawa. 

We started working with Fran - before she knew it! - as she transitioned through legal fields. It was an absolute pleasure to work with Fran during her application process and interview process. I am so proud of all of Fran’s hard work and that we, at Apply Yourself, could be a part of her journey. Fran has since been working as an in-house lawyer and she continues to thoughtfully and mindfully pave her professional path - and we are so here for it all. Fran’s journey, her years of work experience and her transition into a new legal career, reflects the hard work and dedication involved in professional advancement.  

Listen to this episode to learn about:

• Fran’s academic and professional journey to becoming a lawyer and the steps involved in her legal career transition,
• What it’s like to work with Adrienne at Apply Yourself during application processes for  professional advancement, 
• Some insights into writing the LSAT and applying to law school - and it is okay if you had to apply twice! A lot of people do it, and you are not alone. It’s all part of the journey that you want for yourself, and 

Resources and links mentioned in this episode: 

Episode 2: Adrienne’s Professional Path

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

In this week’s episode, we discuss actionable, strategic steps you can implement prior to, and during, your application process. A crucial first step to develop an application - one that is unique, professional, personal, refined, polished, and true to your values - is to mindfully think about what you actually want in life, both personally and professionally.

Maybe you dream of enrolling in law school, dental school, or a Master’s or Ph.D. program. Maybe you feel external pressures to apply to a certain school or pursue a certain career path. It is perfectly normal to be unsure of which programs or schools you’d like to apply to. You just have to be strategic and informed about your approach, and you’ve got to be true to yourself. 

Here are a few ways that you can be better informed, with the knowledge and tools needed, to determine which schools and programs you want to apply to. Listen to this episode to learn more about how you can implement the following strategies:

1. Contact the schools and programs that you’re interested in and ask if you can sit in on a class or a few classes to get a sense of the student experience (in person or virtually!),
2. Speak to graduates of the specific programs that you are interested in,
3. Asking if you can shadow graduates for a day or two in their new professions, and
4. Always visualize the life you want, the choices and opportunities you want to be available to you, and the freedom you want when applying to potential schools and your goals after graduation.

Resources and links mentioned in this episode: 

Episode 1: Making Big Moves with Adrienne Shnier

Episode 2: Adrienne’s Professional Path

Episode 4: 5 Struggles that Applicants Face and Strategies to Overcome Them (Part 2)

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

In this episode, we explore the concept of self-care and redefine how we view and practice taking care of ourselves while pursuing our long-term advancement and goals. 

The self-care industry, which makes approximately $10 billion dollars per year, strategically markets “self-care” as indulgences, weekends away, and cucumbers on your eyes. Now, while those things may be nice in the moment, alone they are not the things that will help us decompress, destress, and find alignment with ourselves in the long run. 

Rather, self-care is intentionally taking time to engage in sustainable, restorative activities that help you realign or maintain your alignment with yourself – in other words, sustainable restoration to successfully deal with stress. Our own self-care practices have to be conducive to activities that actively oppose feelings of stress and burnout. It is important to invest time in ourselves to recharge, and to engage in intentional rest that is our own choice and unique to each of us. 

So, how can we sustainably practice self-care? Listen to this episode to join our discussion of the following strategies, which are free to implement right now, and to engage in a mindful awareness exercise. 

1. Plan for moments of rest and stillness each day. 
2. Engage in awareness of yourself, your feelings, your wants, and your thoughts. 
3. Set healthy boundaries for yourself and others. 
4. Take a step away from your computer or work space, even for just a moment, to help with productivity. 

If you want to continue this conversation on reframing self-care and connect with us at Apply Yourself: The Advancement Spot, you can personally email me at hello@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal –  Let me know how you are redefining and developing your self-care habits. I’m here for you, supporting you along the way! 

Resources and links mentioned in this episode: 

Episode 7: 3 Strategies to Boost Your Advancement Today

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

In this week’s episode, I have the pleasure of introducing our very first guest on the podcast!

Meet Anshikha, a dear client of mine, who is graduating this semester from her undergraduate program and who was granted admission to Columbia University for her Master’s degree this fall! (Huge congratulations to Anshikha for this amazing accomplishment!!)

Anshikha shares her advancement journey and her personal experience working with Adrienne at Apply Yourself. She describes how her interests in academia informed her application submission, in alignment with her goals and passions in the global governance of infectious diseases, political science, and international relations. She reflects on the challenges she overcame while developing her graduate school applications, her process for becoming confident in the applications she submitted, and how she became comfortable with herself and her abilities through the application process. 

In this episode, we:  

• Learn about Anshikha’s personal experiences, interests, and her ongoing advancement journey
• Learn about the intensive work that is involved with the application process, including mindset shifts, skills development, time management, and focusing on yourself and not the competition 
• Learn about the work that we do at Apply Yourself and just some of the positive outcomes that come out of our 1:1 sessions with Adrienne, including improved writing skills and professional development
• Know what it’s like to work with Adrienne at Apply Yourself - whether it be through one-on-one live coaching and strategy sessions or our 12 week course! 

Resources and links mentioned in this episode: 

Episode 6: Advancement and Your Growth vs. Scarcity Mindset 

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

At this time of year, I often think of my clients and students who are completing higher education and about to enter their exam period. In contrast, If you don’t have exams, your time is usually being tested by those end-of-semester essays or assignments, or even both. 

I know how stressful and busy this time gets - I’ve been there myself as an undergraduate, Masters, PhD, and law student - and as a Professor. 

In this episode, I provide 4 foundational strategies to help you master exam time, and other intense time periods, while also taking care of yourself. Here is a quick overview: 

1. Manage your distractions → We discuss strategies to reduce distractions during exam time. You can apply these strategies at any time. 
2. Don’t compare yourself to others → Everyone has different study methods, learning styles, and productivity speeds. Focus on yourself, not on others, and trust your process. 
3. If you are facing any extenuating circumstances, get in touch with your Professor and/or TA right away → The sooner you email and inform them, the more effectively your course team will be able to support you and provide you with the resources that you need. 
4. Your notes don’t have to be pretty to be effective → Your notes should be an effective study tool. Your notes should be accurate, organized, and make sense to you. They don’t need to be pretty to be effective - but organized and effective notes sure do look good!

I have curated these actionable strategies from my years of experience, and now you can implement them to help develop your mindset, focus, and skills to be more effective while studying and working towards your advancement. 

Subscribe to never miss an episode!

Resources and links mentioned in this episode: 

• Episode 7: 3 Strategies to Boost Your Advancement Today 

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

In this episode, I give you 3 actionable strategies and tools to help increase your productivity and further your advancement, while also maintaining your health and well-being - even during high volume, busy times! 

Let's dive right in! Here are 3 health-conscious, cost-free, and sustainable strategies to help increase your cognitive freedom, decrease exhaustion, avoid burnout, and provide predictability and intention in your actions and daily life:  

1. Clearly plan out your days, weeks, and months → Use a pen and paper - identify your non-negotiables, things you enjoy doing, positive social time, and time for yourself - and diarize these categories. Use a calendar to promote predictability and autonomy over your schedule.
2. Rid your time and mind of social toxicity → Identify whether you are using your precious minutes and energy on people or behaviours that make you feel bad (i.e., gossip, aimlessly scrolling through social media, or spending time with people who don’t have your best interests at heart); instead, surround yourself with positive perspectives and people who support you.
3. Be intentional about the activities you engage in → The breaks in your days and weeks, your time away from work, and your outlets should energize and reinvigorate you. Develop a regular schedule for things you enjoy.

I hope that these actionable strategies can help you to navigate stressful times and develop the skills you need for your lifelong advancement. 

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

In today’s episode, I discuss the importance of a growth mindset in your advancement journey. In my experience, I believe that developing a constructive, productive, health-conscious mindset is about 90% of the work towards achieving and surpassing your goals and aspirations.

When I talk about “mindset,” I’m referring to the way we think - what informs our decisions, how we perceive ourselves and others, and how we approach the world around us - identifying our assumptions, attitudes, biases, philosophies, worldview, and what informs them. 

Mindset directly affects how we perceive our own opportunities for growth, advancement, and success.

A “growth mindset” refers to the perspective that anything important to us flows to us in abundance - academic and work opportunities, energy, support from others, financial stability, and other tangibles and intangibles that we strive for. A growth mindset believes there are increasing opportunities for everyone, and everyone can have abundance and success.  

Conversely, a “scarcity mindset” is the assumption that anything important to us is scarce and at risk of running out. A scarcity mindset is toxic and detrimental - it leads to doubt in your abilities, feelings of insecurity, and fear of the competition and the unknown. It holds you back from your full potential.

Adopting a growth mindset is a fundamental step towards your long-term advancement. This takes continued work, but with a growth mindset comes boundless opportunity, skills development, and continued success. 

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

In this episode, I unpack the concept of imposter syndrome, why it holds people back, and provide strategies to overcome this popular, self-imposed label.

“Imposter syndrome” is a term, often used in academic and professional settings, that describes feelings of doubt and inadequacy in oneself or one’s abilities. However, this term does not define you or your capabilities for success! 

I hate the term “imposter syndrome,” so let’s unpack it and learn how to reframe your perspective of yourself and others to overcome it.

Ultimately, I believe that “imposter syndrome” really describes a feeling of discomfort that has not been properly addressed or identified - in other words, discomfort in periods of growth. But more often than not, we need this discomfort to strategize, to challenge us, and to propel us forward to new opportunities for growth and advancement. 

So, how can we overcome “imposter syndrome?” Here are some tips: 

1. Identify your own perceptions → Of yourself, your peers, and your colleagues 
2. Understand that advancement is never done → Major milestones in life give way to evolving goals - advancement is never done
3. Work through the discomfort → Ask yourself what the next best step is and use visualization techniques to map out strategies to your success
4. Work on developing a growth mindset and attitude → Remember that your peers are potentially your future colleagues and approach challenging and uncomfortable situations from a place of compassion. 

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

Preparing an application doesn’t have to be a scary, complicated process! In last week’s episode, we discussed 2 common struggles in the application process and asked the following question: How can I develop the skills necessary to create the best application that fits and aligns with me?

In this Part Two episode, I talk about 3 out of 5 common struggles in the application process and give you key strategies to overcome them. Here are the main takeaways: 

1. Not visualizing your success? → Listen to this episode to learn how to engage in visualization, including a short visualization exercise! Visualize where you want to be on a daily basis!
2. Letting other people’s expectations dictate you and your path? → Use visualization techniques to visualize yourself and your own goals, expectations, and values - fill in your own puzzle!
3. Not strategizing your time management? → Develop your calendar, diarize all priorities, block off time for self-care, do a social media clean up, write down where and how you spend your time, and much, much more! 

Preparing an application is a long term commitment that requires hard work and meaningful self-reflection, and we’re here to help you! I hope you learn some strategies that you can use to further your success and advancement in many areas of your life. 

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

Everyone who is currently doing an application or has done an application knows how daunting the process can be. You might be wondering: How can I develop the skills necessary to create the best application that fits and aligns with me? 

In this Part One episode, I describe 2 out of 5 common struggles in the application process and go in depth about how to overcome them. Here’s a sneak peak: 

1. Fear of the process and competition? → Be confident in your own abilities and humanize your competition! 
2. Insecure? → Know the difference between internal and external validation and understand how this has affected you. Realize your worth and strengths, set the appropriate boundaries, determine what your values are, engage in continued self-reflection, and more!

The application process and your advancement beyond this process is hard work - No one else will do this work for you! I hope you learn some useful strategies and feel more empowered to make those big moves to achieve your goals. Come back next week for Part Two! 

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

I'm thrilled to share a special episode where I had the opportunity to delve into a coaching session with our client, Leni. At the end of our session, Leni suggested that we turn our conversation into a podcast episode, knowing it could benefit others facing similar challenges. We explored Leni’s experience of discomfort, dissecting procrastination, and reflecting on the concept of taking time for granted. Our discussion even led us to explore the concept of the 'upper limit problem' and how it can impact our success. Join us as we dive deep into these topics and share insights that could help you navigate your own journey.

Turning Discomfort into Growth: A Deep Dive into Procrastination and Personal Evolution
In our conversation, we delved into the feelings of discomfort and resistance many of us experience while preparing for the LSAT exam. We explored the concept of listening to your body and unpacking the underlying emotions that may be causing procrastination or hesitancy. Here are the key points we discussed:

1. Exploring Feelings: I acknowledged feeling discomfort and resistance when attempting to study for the LSAT. We delved into the emotions behind these feelings, such as fear of failure and uncertainty about the future.
2. Processing Emotions: We emphasized the importance of processing emotions and facing them head-on rather than avoiding them. I encourage you to acknowledge and understand these feelings as a normal part of personal growth and change.
3. Recalibration: We discussed the need for recalibration after a period of intense emotional processing or personal development. I suggest using tools like mindset journaling to reflect on experiences and ground myself in the present.
4. Accepting Change: There was a focus on accepting positive change and embracing growth, even when it feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar. Discomfort is a normal part of the process and can be used as a catalyst for personal evolution.
5. Breaking Through Limiting Beliefs: We touched on the concept of the "upper limit problem" from "The Big Leap," highlighting the tendency to self-sabotage when reaching a certain level of success or happiness.

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

In today’s episode, I describe my personal journey, which took many twists and turns to get me to where I am today. I open up to you about my university and graduate school experiences, from switching programs in undergrad, to completing my Masters and PhD, to earning my JD at Osgoode Hall Law School, and beyond. 

The opportunities that I pursued ultimately aligned with my values, goals, intellectual curiosity, and research interests. The path to success is not a straight line! 

The twists and turns that life threw at me during my journey gave me the critical on-the-ground experience to launch Apply Yourself: The Advancement Spot, and to help other academic and professional applicants achieve their dreams. I have served on many admissions committees and have seen first-hand that students need personalized, hands-on support and coaching for grad school applications, career transitions and promotions, and other advancement opportunities. 

At Apply Yourself, we provide students and applicants with a holistic approach to creating their personal application and help them develop the skills they need to pave the way for success. The choice is yours - you can work with me in a half-day strategy session, where we develop a personalized, actionable plan to move forward in your journey, or in our 90-day program, where we work through the entire application process to ensure a strategic, polished, and personalized application that fills all the requirements. (No ghostwriting! I help you develop all of the skills you need throughout the process so that you can implement them now and in the future.)

As lifelong-learners, advancement is never done, and now I use my experience for you!

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

In this first episode, I tell you about myself and my experiences as an Advancement Coach & Strategist, lawyer, and professor. I delve deeper into what Apply Yourself: The Advancement Spot does and how we can help you take the next steps to achieving your goals. 

Here are some of the things we do at Apply Yourself: 

1. Applications - We coach and strategize with applicants from all demographic and socioeconomic backgrounds to prepare their graduate and professional school applications, from law school, to medical school, to Masters and PhD programs, other post-graduate programs, as well as professional applications and promotions processes. 
2. Coach and Strategize - We coach one-on-one with applicants to help them develop personalized applications that reflect their values and experiences, develop relevant skills, and make big moves to change and advance your academic and professional life. 
3. Support You! - We’re here to support you through the application process, career transitions, and promotions. We focus on you, not the competition. 

At Apply Yourself, we keep our approach holistic - we coach the person, we know that our personal lives affect our professional lives and vice versa! 

Since 2015, I have been coaching applicants and professionals across disciplines and sectors, helping them make big moves using strategies that work for them. We are so proud of our community, which has grown over the past 7 years. We are now at a new office space on Avenue Road in Toronto, just south of the 401. We are also launching our very own course soon called “Mastering Academic Applications,” which takes you from scratch to submission in 12 weeks. 

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

Welcome to The Advancement Spot Podcast! I’m your host, Adrienne Shnier, Advancement Coach & Strategist, Lawyer, and Professor. We are so excited to be launching this podcast series. I’m so glad you're here, and thank you for taking time out of your day to listen. In this introduction: 

• You’ll learn more about me, and my academic and professional journey.
• You’ll learn about what we do at Apply Yourself: The Advancement Spot.
• You’ll learn about what you can expect from working with us, such as getting support with the application process and one-to-one coaching for skills development. 
• You’ll get a sneak peak of the first three episodes - coming soon! 

We believe that continued academic and professional advancement is the key to your freedom, success, and a life that grows and flourishes with you!

If you want to connect with us at Apply Yourself: The Advancement Spot and learn more about our upcoming course, email me at hello@applyyourselfglobal.com - you’ll get me directly, not a machine or a random person. Feel free to DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal - I would love to connect with you! 

See you in Episode 1! 

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

In our monumental 100th episode of the Advancement Spot Podcast, I embark on a heartfelt journey of reflection, gratitude, and celebration. This episode isn't just about hitting a number; it's about taking a moment to look back, soak it all in, and say a big, heartfelt "thank you" to each and every one of you who've been with us on this journey. To our incredible listeners, your support and engagement have been the driving force behind the success of this podcast. Without your dedication, we wouldn't be celebrating this monumental achievement today.

So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. You've made every episode worthwhile, and I couldn't be more grateful for each and every one of you. Here's to many more episodes and shared moments together!

Throughout this special episode, I'll be diving into the amazing stories of transformation that have unfolded thanks to Apply Yourself services. Our fantastic members from Apply Yourself step up to share their own tales of growth and success.

1. Our members express their heartfelt thanks to Apply Yourself for the incredible support and guidance they've received. They talk about how the program has boosted their confidence and helped them chase their dreams with a newfound zeal.
2. We have several members sharing their experiences with Apply Yourself and how it's changed the game for them in terms of applications and personal growth.
3. Our members share stories of overcoming tough times and achieving what they once thought impossible, thanks to the support of Apply Yourself.
4. Our members highlight the importance of having a structured approach to application processes, which helped them to navigate complexities and overcome challenges.
5. We dive into the deep end of personal growth in this episode, exploring everything from self-reflection to boosting confidence. It's clear that Apply Yourself isn't just a program—it's a life-changer, giving you the tools you need to navigate life's twists and turns.
6. Our members share how they've kicked negative thinking to the curb and how it's made a world of difference in their lives and relationships. 
7. From the bottom of my heart, I want to give a huge shoutout to the amazing team behind Apply Yourself.

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

Let’s discuss one of the most important decisions I've ever made: saying yes. It's a common question to ask yourself, 'Am I making the right choice? Am I on the right path?' The decision I made at a young age to embrace opportunities that resonated with my goals highlights the significance of deliberate decision-making and mentorship in personal growth.

 Embracing Opportunities: A Journey of Intentional Decision-Making and Personal Growth
I encourage you to evaluate your choices, set boundaries, and align your actions with their highest aspirations. There is a liberating freedom found in embracing opportunities that serve personal growth and alignment. 

• At a young age, I made the pivotal decision to seize opportunities aligned with my ambitions, beginning with my tenure at Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute in Neuroscience during my undergraduate years.
• I delve into the nuanced aspects of intentional decision-making, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and personal reflection in navigating life's opportunities and challenges.
• Despite encountering challenges and tough choices along the way, I reflect on each experience with fondness and gratitude, emphasizing the transformative impact of intentional decision-making.
• I underscore the importance of seeking out opportunities that align with personal values, even during my student years, and acknowledge the intentional effort put into every decision.
• Reflecting on past experiences, I acknowledge the importance of letting go of relationships or opportunities that no longer serve my growth or alignment with personal goals.
• Give yourself permission to say yes to opportunities that resonate with your true self, you will start to attract less of what doesn't align by focusing on what does.

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

A topic that comes up in so many of our coaching calls, is scheduling and flexibility. This often comes up at the beginning of the year, as we have new classes, new jobs, new responsibilities, and new obligations to ourselves and to other people. So, when we have new things that we want to do and get involved in, how do we fit all that in?

Navigating Life’s Rhythms Through Flex Scheduling
When it comes to scheduling anything from school, family time, social time, time to study, work, how do we do it all? It is easy to want a routine, but life is flexible, so we need to find some flexible time. Embracing flexibility in your life to your advantage is going to change how you do and see everything and every opportunity, and that is why we use flex scheduling.

• Flex scheduling requires the process of identifying non-negotiables and integrating flexibility into the schedule to accommodate different activities.
• It is important to use flex time productively, doing activities such as exercise, socializing, or engaging in meaningful experiences rather than passive pursuits like scrolling or binge-watching.
• Be present and mindful in every activity, whether it's studying, working, or leisure time. I encourage intentional engagement with chosen activities.
• Life is inherently flexible, schedules may change due to evolving circumstances and unexpected events. Embrace life's ebbs and flows, and adapt your routine accordingly.
• Find comfort in the flexibility of life rather than seeking rigid routines. It is important to adapt to different life seasons and use flexibility to your advantage.

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

In our previous episode, we delved into the intricacies of intention setting for the new year, emphasizing consistency, accountability, strategy, and hope. Building on that, I stress the inevitability of discomfort in the pursuit of growth. While remaining in a comfort zone may feel secure, real progress often requires investing energy, time, and sometimes money in oneself. There are two types of discomfort—urgent, fight-or-flight reactions indicating a safety concern, and the "good" discomfort associated with personal and professional advancement. This episode takes a deeper dive into the transformative power of this constructive discomfort, unraveling its manifestations and its role as a guiding force on our journey to success.

Unveiling the Uncomfortable: Navigating Growth and the Two Faces of Discomfort
In this episode, we navigate the landscape of discomfort and its profound role in personal and professional growth. From decoding the nuances of different discomforts to leveraging it as a guiding force, we explore the transformative journey towards success. Here’s a closer look at what we covered in this episode:

• Delving deeper, I draw a clear line between the discomfort that signals immediate danger and the discomfort that accompanies the journey of pushing our boundaries and embracing growth.
• Recognize the transformative power of discomfort, and view it as a compass. This discomfort becomes your guide, steering your decisions, shaping your energy investments, and influencing where you choose to allocate your resources.
• There are many physiological manifestations of discomfort, it can manifest as tightness in the chest, stomachaches, or tension in various parts of the body. Recognizing these physical signs is key to self-awareness.
• It's crucial not to downplay your emotions. I stress the importance of acknowledging and addressing your feelings, irrespective of their perceived magnitude, emphasizing the significance of self-validation.
• Dream big! There is power in setting ambitious goals. Discomfort is an integral part of the process, propelling us toward those dreams that might initially seem out of reach.
• Regularly reassess your intentions and how discomfort is harnessed. 

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

Today, we're diving into a topic close to my heart – intention setting for the new year. As we kick off 2024, I want to share my insights on why resolutions often miss the mark, and why I don’t wait for the New Year to start working on a new goal. I operate on a quarterly, monthly, and sometimes even daily basis to ensure my intentions align with the ever-evolving journey of life. So, whether you're a seasoned goal-setter or looking for a fresh approach, let's navigate the path to a purposeful and successful 2024 together.

The Art of Intention Setting and Key Components for Success
In this episode, we're steering away from traditional resolutions and delving into the transformative power of intention. Here are the five things that I make sure I am implementing constantly and regularly reviewing to foster a sense of renewal in the New Year: 

• Intention setting – Why do I set intentions rather than traditional New Years Resolutions? Intentions involve making active and intentional choices aligned with your goals.
• Consistency - Success is built through consistent effort, energy, and intentionality. You need to approach goals with a daily commitment to making the right choices, big and small.
• Accountability Matters - Surrounding oneself with a supportive community that holds each other accountable is crucial. True accountability involves regular check-ins and updates, ensuring commitment to personal goals. That’s what the Apply Yourself Community is here for!
• Strategic Approach - Having a well-thought-out strategy is essential for achieving long-term goals. Strategy serves as a roadmap, guiding you through challenges and circumstances on the path to success.
• Hope as a Driving Force – You must maintain hope for a better future. Believing in your limitless potential and possibilities is essential for achieving significant and long-term goals.

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

In today's episode, I want to share insights from a recent coaching call where we discussed a common challenge: dealing with changing social circles while striving for personal and professional advancement. This particular conversation stemmed from a member in our Mastering Academic Applications program who expressed a dilemma about a group of friends whose goals seemed to be misaligned. Join me as we explore strategies for planning for the future and choosing friends who align with your positive growth.

Navigating the Social Landscape: Balancing Success, Friendship, and Self-Discovery
Social circles, as we all know, can be unpredictable. You can't anticipate that a group today will remain unchanged over the next 5, 10, or even 50 years. People evolve, friendships transform, and it's a journey that we can't entirely plan for. How can we approach planning for the future and selecting friends who contribute positively? Here are some key points from this episode: 

• As a young person, I've experienced similar challenges - wanting to socialize while dedicating time to studies. It's essential to recognize that studying and achieving success take time, and there's no quick fix. What we do need is consistency, accountability, and a sprinkle of hope. Believing in yourself is key; if it's in your head, it's already yours - just figure out the how.
• In contemplating success, I encourage you to define what it means to you. For me, it's freedom - the ability to choose.
• Your current circumstances and friend groups play a role in your current and future success. Consider who you surround yourself with; it's a massive predictor of your journey.
• Think about the you in five or ten years - the successful you. What choices would that person make today regarding social circles? Align your decisions with your future success. 
• We all crave acceptance, a biological instinct, but now we're in settings where we decide who has the privilege of being in our lives. Focus on those who support your journey and reciprocate the support.

Links:
Episode 53: How to Define Success

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

In this episode,  I’m joined by Marco Kim, our wonderful LSAT coach in Mastering Test Prep! Marco is a second-year law student at the University of Western Ontario, formerly an economics student at the University of McGill. As a seasoned LSAT coach, Marco shares valuable strategies and perspectives on effectively managing time constraints and achieving your LSAT goals. Join us as we explore practical approaches to handling time-related challenges and maintaining focus on achieving academic objectives.

Navigating Time Constraints and Achieving Goals with Marco Kim
Preparing for the LSAT can be quite a journey, and we understand the challenges it brings. Recognizing the significance of time management can help you to ease stress and enhance your study approach. In this episode, we delve into essential strategies for managing time constraints and successfully achieving goals. Listen to learn more about:

• Acknowledging time constraints when plans encounter interruptions, delays, or unforeseen issues. Your original plan may fall short due to time constraints and trigger a sense of panic. The first step towards a solution is recognizing these time limitations.
• Adopting an outsider's perspective to look at the situation objectively and deal with panic. Learn how to distinguish between external factors causing delays and internal issues with plan execution.
• Being generous with yourself when planning and managing time - plan for consistent disruptions or accounting for extra time if not. If delays are due to poor planning, reevaluate strategies for a more effective approach.
• Focusing  on essential goals when time is insufficient. Recognize the importance of reassessing what can be realistically achieved and recognize various goals within a larger plan and understand their timelines.
• The need to reevaluate and reassess goals instead of outright abandoning them. There is a delicate balance required between realistic expectations and often underestimated time requirements.
• Marco's personal strategy for calming panic, involving detachment from the situation, having a meal, and engaging in relaxing activities. Remember to look at the situation objectively after grounding yourself

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

I'm joined by one of our wonderful MCAT Coaches in Mastering Test Prep, Josh Kapur! Josh is a fourth year student in the Kinesiology program at the University of Toronto, and we are so happy to announce that he has been admitted to his first choice medical school program! He has been actively involved in so many Apply Yourself initiatives and we're so grateful for all of his work. We get to know Josh in this episode and learn more about his journey and what led him here to Apply Yourself. 

Nurturing Yourself and your Strategy While Studying for the MCAT
Studying for the MCAT is a high-stress and often isolating experience. It’s so important to take care of yourself and focus on strategies that work best for you. Tune in this episode to learn more about: 

• Insights into the medical school application process;
• The ways we bring our clients the most up-to-date resources and strategies that suit their individual learning styles through the unique delivery of expertise by each of our Coaches; 
• Josh’s experience writing the MCAT and the strategies he used that best suited his own learning style, such as spaced repetition, and the ways he simulated the uncertainties of test day by studying in different environments;
• The importance of focusing on yourself and your strategy, not on the competition, especially during high-stress times like studying for the MCAT or any standardized test - You’re writing the test by yourself, for yourself, so it’s imperative to not let other people’s opinions and comparisons impact the way you study; 
• Apply Yourself’s holistic approach to coaching where we focus on the personal outside of the test, not just the test, because the personal and the professional are one in the same. We need to nurture both throughout our advancement; 
• The student groups Apply Yourself sponsors across the country and internationally, such as the MCAT Prep Club at UofT, which Josh is a part of! 
• Our Mastering Test Prep program and the ways our Coaches strive to provide our clients the best standardized test strategies.

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

The reading comprehension section of the LSAT contains a variety of different types of passages. Students may encounter passages relating to knowledge areas for which they don’t have a strong background. How do you effectively prepare for a test notorious for its diversity and unpredictability?

Substance Over Jargon: Focusing on the Bigger Picture

Since most law school applicants come from the humanities and social sciences, many have a tough time with passages in the LSAT relating to STEM areas such as chemistry, biology, and technology. If you find yourself struggling, don’t panic! You do not need to know all the big science words in a passage in order to understand its overall meaning — in fact, some of them may be there in order to distract you!

The truth is that every LSAT question contains the information you need to solve it, no matter your background knowledge. In this episode, you’ll discover powerful strategies that will help you approach reading comprehension passages holistically, analytically, and strategically, so you can achieve your best possible results.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How to pinpoint the types of questions you should be targeting during your study sessions
• How to identify which words are “make-or-break” and which are inconsequential, so you can prioritize your focus
• Why it’s important to pay attention to the layout pattern of a reading comprehension passage
• A simple daily exercise that will help you become far more comfortable with scientific writing

Links mentioned:

1,000 Inventions and Discoveries by Roger Bridgman

Timestamps:‌ ‌

00:46  Intro

03:00  Identify your struggles

04:32  Prioritize your focus

09:51  Become more familiar with scientific writing

12:41  Daily reading exercise

14:29  Outro

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

Scheduling for Success: How to Stay on Track
What happens when things don’t go according to schedule? We have to plan for contingencies and external factors in order to keep moving towards our goals. Today, I explore with you some scheduling strategies that have helped me and my students and clients in their advancement.

Flex Schedules and Planning for Change
Many of us are going through challenging processes and times of busyness. Remember, stress and sacrifice aren't forever. Our “ideal” schedule and our non-negotiables change over time and invite the changes that come with our journeys. Here are three types of schedules that you can develop to help keep you on track: 

1. The Ideal Schedule - This is where you map out what you actually have to do for this moment in time. What are your obligations and non-negotiables? If you’re enrolled in Mastering Academic Applications, I give you a template for scheduling and you fill it out with ease. Otherwise, you can develop a schedule that works for you and map out your day, the time that each task takes you, and do so in the context of an ideal world. This is a world where everything runs smoothly, consistently, and there are no outside influences.
2. The Flex One Schedule - This is your schedule when some things don't go according to plan. Maybe you need to spend more time studying for your standardized tests and this means you can only go to the gym three times in the week instead of five. Your flex one schedule allows more time for the non-negotiables and less time for the negotiables.
3. The Flex Two Schedule - This is your schedule when a lot doesn’t go according to plan. You may have to start cutting down on things that maybe, in your ideal or flex one schedule, are non-negotiable in order to give yourself more time to do more urgent tasks. 

Links:
Episode 32: Caring For Loved Ones During Our Times Of Advancement – Is It Possible? With Stephanie Muskat

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

Studying for Standardized Tests
In this week’s episode, I share with you my top three non-negotiables for standardized test studying. Four degrees later, I can safely say that I've been through a ton of school and exam periods, both as a student and as a professor who sees what students need to succeed. For standardized tests, studying is much more prolonged, requires more endurance, and requires you to build up the skill and muscle memory to be able to perform at your best. 

My Top 3 LSAT & MCAT Non-Negotiables
It's important to put your health first and engage in study strategies that are sustainable. These are my top 3 non-negotiables when it comes to studying for the MCAT, the LSAT, or any standardized test: 

1. Sleep - You need full nights of restful, restorative sleep that allow you to be sustained throughout the day and go to bed at a reasonable time, all with a perfect study strategy that allows you to feel good about the progress that you're making. 
2. Physical movement - You don't have to go for an intense jog. You can do shorter bursts of physical movement that restore you and your mind. When I was in school studying for exams and standardized tests, I always did one thing to keep me studying productively, and that was go to the gym.
3. Time to think - It’s vitally important that your subconscious mind has the time and the space to think, process, and put your skills and memory into the short-term and long-term so that it's sustained throughout your studying. 

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:
Episode 49: There’s No Shame in Rewriting Standardized Tests 

Episode 78: We’re Doing LSAT Questions LIVE! With Jaylene D. 

Episode 85: How To Deal With LSAT Issues With Our LSAT Coach, Marco Kim

Episode 87: Writing The LSAT With Jacob McNair

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

I share with you another client story from one of our group coaching calls in The Success Society, which is our higher-level coaching group where we talk about all things outside of the application. Now, I am a firm believer that you don’t need to come with a “problem” or something to troubleshoot every single week in order to participate in and benefit from our coaching sessions. Like I say to our Apply Yourself community members, you don’t need to wait until you experience a problem to reach out and ask for support. When it comes to our coaching, we take a holistic approach because you shouldn't actually have to ask for help. It should be a well-rounded process that you engage in fully, freely, and on your own terms.

Holistic Coaching, Asking for Help, and Making Good Choices in your Advancement
Chatting with this client brought up a really important question: When do we ask for help? Asking for help often requires a serious analysis of where we are, where we want to be, and the gap between them. Here are some key points from this episode:

• If you're feeling unsure of your next steps, it’s important to take a step back and visualize where you want to be in a productive way. 
• In order to reach your goals, your current self needs to make choices that can, in truth, be uncomfortable. These are often the choices you would make when you look back in hindsight. 
• Imagine yourself 10, 20, 30 years into the future, or even 1 year in. What choices would you make today to get you where you want to be faster, without stress, with more joy, support, encouragement, and community, and in a healthier and sustainable way?  
• There doesn't always have to be a problem. It’s important to learn how to ask for help and when to ask for help. And in order to ask for the right kind of help, you need the right people to be on the other end, listening to and supporting you.
• At Apply Yourself, we provide coaching for applications, for test prep, and for life in general, and we have programs that focus on each of those areas. 

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

Today, I'm joined by one of our dear clients, Farwa, who has made so many amazing strides in our short time working together! Farwa is an incoming candidate of the Master of Health Industry Administration Program at the Schulich School of Business, and a recent graduate of York University’s Global Health Program with a specialization in Health Policy, Management, and Systems. Farwa is a student leader and community worker with over three years of experience in community-based research, student engagement, and leadership development. She is interested in pursuing research pathways for humanitarian and community health, and exploring innovative and technological ways to improve health outcomes. I am so excited to be joined by Farwa so we can both celebrate her success and learn more about her journey.

Farwa dishes out all the details this episode and describes her experience with the application from before our work together to now. I am so happy to share that Farwa has gained admission into her top program of choice at Schulich, and she is so excited to begin this next chapter of her advancement journey. Listen to this episode to learn more about:

• Farwa’s academic background and professional interests in improving community health outcomes;
• Her experience working together in Mastering Academic Applications and The Success Society - through our coaching together, we were able to clearly define Farwa’s goals, aspirations, and thoughts in her application in a polished, professional, and concise way;
• Insights into the application process at one of Schulich's Masters programs and the kind of strategy and preparation needed for success in the application materials and interview process;
• The level of personalized and customized support you gain by joining the Apply Yourself community, because we all come here each week with real vulnerability and readiness to share, accept, support, encourage, and strategize; and
• Why we have a 90% success rate in getting our clients and community members into their dream schools and jobs through our various programs, coaching strategies, and non-competition principle.

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

We are joined by Isabella Papalia, one of our all-star LSAT coaches! Isabella holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behavior with a minor in Biology from McMaster University. She is currently completing her second year of law school with the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. Today, we take you into the world of coaching with us and learn more about Isabella along the way. 

Believing in Yourself Throughout your LSAT and Law School Journey
The LSAT and law school are no doubt challenging processes, but it’s important to believe in yourself and ensure this path aligns with you. Isabella’s experience demonstrates the ways that a growth mindset, consistency, discipline, and hard work can propel you forward. Listen to this episode to learn about: 

• Isabella’s academic and professional experience, in which her passions for science and law fuel her interest in intellectual property law; 
• Her experience writing the LSAT, the lessons she learned, and some actionable LSAT study strategies; 
• Isabella’s philosophy behind LSAT coaching, where she is able to help our clients improve their scores, strategies, and circumstances around studying; 
• Our online community platform where we ask questions and support one another each week; 
• Not needing a specific background to get into and succeed at law school - your background is perfect for whatever you want to do, you just have to know that you enjoy doing it!

Links:
Episode 5: Overcoming “Imposter Syndrome” —> https://applyyourselfglobal.com/ep-5/ 

Episode 55: Law School Chat Forums – Are They Useful? —> https://applyyourselfglobal.com/ep-55/ 

Episode 70: Meet Our LSAT & MCAT Coaches! Part 3: Josh Kapur, Gabriel Benjamen, Jacob McNair, Isabella Papalia, Jonathan Mackenzie —> https://applyyourselfglobal.com/ep-70/ 

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

We have Jacob McNair, one of our amazing LSAT coaches, on the podcast! Jacob holds a a Masters degree in Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University and is currently completing his second year of law school. Today, we're going to learn all about Jacob, his academic and professional background, his experience, his philosophy, and the ways these inform his coaching with Apply Yourself.

The Key to Positive Mindset Shifts in your Law School and LSAT Journey
The LSAT doesn’t have to be an isolating or competitive process, and Jacob’s experience can attest to that. When we undergo challenging and stressful periods of time, we need to remember to listen to the whispers that guide us to where we want to be, and seek out those moments of reassurance and support. Tune in to learn more about: 

• Jacob’s journey on getting to law school and his academic and professional background;
• His experience preparing for the LSAT and his perceptions on the competition - and at Apply Yourself we know that the competition is there, but we focus on you and what you bring to the table;
• What brought Jacob to Apply Yourself, where we help clients and applicants not only get the best grades, but also build healthy work habits; 
• The importance of a growth mindset in recognizing that the competition is not there to work against you, but instead work alongside you as potential colleagues;
• Insights into the LSAT and the skills building involved so you can apply your study strategies to law school; and
• The importance of gaining exposure to the law and to connect with lawyers when appropriate to determine if this is the path that aligns with you. 

Links:
Episode 23: The Simple Question That Will Change Your Life —> https://applyyourselfglobal.com/ep-23/ 

Episode 70: Meet Our LSAT & MCAT Coaches! Part 3: Josh Kapur, Gabriel Benjamen, Jacob McNair, Isabella Papalia, Jonathan Mackenzie —> https://applyyourselfglobal.com/ep-70/&

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

In today’s episode, we talk about the key differences between writing for discovery vs. writing for communication. This distinction can apply to any piece of writing that is going to be submitted or be used for some purpose other than your own.

The Discovery Phase of Writing
Writing for discovery is so crucial to fully understand and process your own experiences. It can look like so many different things, like journaling or creating a web diagram, but it just has to make sense to you and help you process, understand, and connect the dots between your experiences. Here are some tips for writing for discovery to ensure this phase is a productive part of your process: 

• First, you need to dedicate time to do this phase in order to plan out your final product and to fully reflect on your own circumstances, experiences, and the ways you grew from them. 
• Second, you need to give yourself the quiet and the space to do this phase. Give yourself the time and space to think without pressure. 
• Third, you need a pen and paper, rather than solely relying on typing. I suggest printing out your CV and beside each experience you write a description of your feelings, memories, and reflections on that experience. 
• Fourth, you need to make connections between your experiences and where you were, where you are, and where you are going. 

Writing for communication is the phase where you convey your message for the understanding of your audience. Here are some tips for writing for communication:

• First, know who your audience is. Are you writing for the admissions committee, your professor, your colleagues, or your supervisor at work? 
• Second, the communication phase has many considerations, such as proper formatting of your writing, and, in the context of applications, writing to advocate for yourself. 
• Third, writing for communication is for the audience to understand who you are, what your experience is, and what you bring to the table. 
• Fourth, you may switch between writing for discovery and writing for communication many times, and that is a totally normal part of the writing process.

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

I am joined by Marco Kim, one of our amazing LSAT coaches, on today’s episode! Marco holds a Bachelor's degree from McGill University where he completed his Major in Economics with a Double Minor in Philosophy and World Cinema. He is currently completing his second year of law school at the University of Western Ontario. He’s back on the podcast this week to tell us more about himself and his advancement journey, and to share some key insights and strategies on succeeding at the LSAT. Tune in to learn more! 

The Importance of Consistency and Confidence in Your Law School Journey
Writing the LSAT and law school applications are often very intense, involved, and deeply introspective processes. While Marco’s journey has not been easy, his story demonstrates the importance of being consistent in your studying, having confidence in yourself and your abilities, and being introspective when examining the reasons behind your decision to pursue law school. 

Listen to this episode to learn more about: 

• Marco’s personal interests, and his academic and professional experiences;
• His journey getting to law school and completing the application requirements, including the LSAT and his law school application components;
• Showcasing yourself in your law school applications and the importance of tailoring each personal statement and other written components to each school;
• Marco’s study strategy and advice when he works with clients on the LSAT; and
• The kind of coaching and support you receive when working with Marco and our other amazing LSAT and MCAT Coaches at Apply Yourself! 

Resources and links mentioned in this episode: 

Episode 68: Meet Our LSAT & MCAT Coaches! Part 1: Hyun Tae Kim, Olga Shaporenko, Marco Kim, Jonathan Mackenzie —> https://applyyourselfglobal.com/ep-68/ 

Episode 78: We’re Doing LSAT Questions LIVE! With Jaylene D —> https://applyyourselfglobal.com/ep-78/ 

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

Why You Need Independence for Growth
This week, I bring you into a conversation that I had with one of my amazing clients in the Success Society, which was about the need for independence to grow. This amazing member was experiencing a few circumstances happening at home that were preventing her from going back to school and moving back to campus on time. Not only was she delayed in moving, she was also feeling alone and isolated while starting these new processes at the beginning of her semester because her partner was doing his co-op in a different city. Ultimately, after working through these feelings of nervousness and stress together, this member made some important realizations about the importance of guilt-free independence in order to grow and flourish while pursuing one’s own advancement - listen to this episode to learn more! 

Insights on Growing Independently, Without Guilt or Shame
So many of us rely on our relationships with people for comfort, and this is completely natural. But we cannot rely on the presence of another person so heavily that we revolve our entire schedules, strategies, and social time around what we think is convenient for the other person. There are ways that we can grow independently while also maintaining our cherished relationships with others. Here are some key takeaways from this episode:

• When we are implementing new skills and strategies to improve our productivity, grades, study habits, and further our advancement in general, we need to put ourselves first when it comes to making decisions that help us pursue our next best steps.
• Doing things independently and when you want to does not make you selfish. Instead, this makes you appropriately focused on your own growth and success.
• Just because you and another person, whether it be your partner, friend, or family member, are not together doesn’t mean you’re growing apart. It means that you might be growing together in parallel, with the appropriate independence that you need in order to make decisions for yourself, unencumbered by the decisions or expectations of others.  
• Remember, if they are the right person or people, they will support you in your independent growth and grow alongside you.

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

Setting Ourselves up for Study Success
This is a question I often receive and is also something that came up during one of our coaching calls in Mastering Test Prep,  that is: How can you set yourself up for study success? This conversation came up with one of our Apply Yourself members because they're starting to implement new study strategies to really bump up their grades, and I share these strategies with you today! 

5 Strategies for Study Success
These strategies for study success revolve around planning and understanding what you need to succeed. This includes nourishing your body and mind, and planning ahead in order to get what you need to boost your productivity and performance while studying. Here are 5 strategies for study success that you can use to propel your advancement forward: 

1. Set up your study environment for success. You need to have a study space that you are comfortable and safe in, whether it be at home, at school, or in the library, otherwise you may feel distracted.  
2. Make sure that you are feeding your body nourishing foods. This means meal planning in advance and packing your food appropriately and sustainably. This is an especially important point for students because food is expensive. We talk a lot about meal planning in our coaching sessions, including appropriate library foods and affordable, easy to make meal options.  
3. Plan what times of the day you will be eating. Will you eat before or after class? When will you eat your meal and when will you have snacks? It’s also important to keep an emergency stash of food in your bag at all times.
4. Work in flexibility of when you will be eating throughout the day. Make sure you are eating when you are actually hungry and not just when you have it scheduled in.
5. Make sure that you are drinking enough water throughout the day. Bring your refillable water bottle and fill it up at school or at work at the designated filtered water stations.
6. Use earplugs while you are studying. This was really helpful for me when I was studying because you can tune out any noise and distractions. 

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

With so many physical and electronic study tools available, students preparing for the LSAT today have a wealth of options. Even the test itself may be taken online or in person, written digitally or by hand. How can students identify the strategies and resources that will help them achieve their best results?

Creating Healthy, Sustainable, and Effective Study Strategies in a Digital World

For nearly a decade, we’ve helped our incredible clients learn how to study for the LSAT correctly and efficiently, with personalized coaching that maximizes their learning potential. This solo episode of The Advancement Spot reveals some of our most valuable and actionable strategies for confidently mastering your test prep without burning yourself out. Press play to discover how to set yourself up for success during your LSAT journey, from choosing the right tools to adopting the right mindset.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why it’s crucial to maintain an emotional distance from your practice scores, why so many students find their raw scores confusing, and how to interpret your numbers
• What to consider when choosing whether to sit for the LSAT in person or online — and the method we strongly recommend!
• Two simple but powerful choices that will optimize your LSAT preparation
• The minimum length of time you should give yourself to prepare for an important test and why pacing yourself is essential
• Where to find our favourite and most trusted study, productivity, and lifestyle products

Timestamps:‌ ‌

00:46  Intro 

01:37  LSAT prep materials

04:11  Digital v. in-person testing

06:06  Raw v. final LSAT scores

10:32  Coaching call example

15:28  Our Favourites shop

16:22  Final takeaways

17:49  Outro

Links

The Advancement Spot #94 – On Running Out Of Time With Our LSAT Coach, Marco Kim

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

I often get this question from my students and clients: How do I manage my to-do list?

We all have lists of things that we need to get done. Some challenges that we may face when it comes to to-do lists include 1) not prioritizing appropriately, and 2) finding ourselves in what I call “analysis paralysis,” where we overanalyze the things we need to get done to the point that we actually don’t move forward with getting anything done. Today, I share with you actionable, efficient strategies that have worked and continue to work not only for myself, but also for my students and clients. 

5 Strategies for Managing Your To-Do List
There’s no doubt that to-do lists are useful. We have to keep track of what we have to do so we can get everything done. But I’m here to tell you that we don’t need to find the perfect tool or app to keep ourselves organized. Here are 5 key strategies to managing your to-do list and successfully getting things done: 

1. We have to prioritize appropriately. For example, we can prioritize getting tasks done based on deadlines, both externally and internally. Tune in to learn more! 
2. We have to commit to deadlines and trust in our own ability to fulfil the commitments we set out for both ourselves and others. Remember, these commitments are a reflection of us and our reputation.
3. Know and understand that things on our to-do lists may take longer to complete than we expect, and this is totally normal! You are growing through the work that you set out to do, so give yourself a little grace and flexibility. 
4. Part of maturing is knowing and understanding that we can’t always do 100% of the things that we want to do when we have to finish 100% of the things that we need to do.  
5. At the end of each work day, write out a list of all of your next steps, everything that you still need to do, and everything that you didn’t get done that you planned to get done that day. It's okay if this looks like some repetition on your to-do list and in your day-to-day.

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

In this week’s episode, I explore the idea of gratitude and the ways this can manifest in our relationships, specifically with our parents. This conversation on gratitude was sparked by a recent coaching session. One of our Apply Yourself members told us about a circumstance happening at home and they felt they needed to be there to mediate the situation. As you’ll hear in this episode, there are healthy and unhealthy ways to show gratitude, and this can dictate our relationships and the ways we navigate them. 

Practising Healthy Gratitude in Our Relationships
During this coaching call, we explored the ways we can show gratitude to our parents and in other relationships in a more healthy, well-rounded way. Different members had different ideas; some were healthy and some were not, and that’s okay! This is the reality of dealing with relationships and circumstances. 

In the end, we came up with this: The way to show gratitude is by continuing to share your life with the people that you are grateful for. Here are some key takeaways: 

• It’s not healthy to suppress any feelings of disagreement between you or anybody else for the sake of showing gratitude. We need to be able to have wholesome, well-rounded conversations on what we agree and disagree on, and why - and we don’t have to convince each other to agree! We can just have a mutual understanding of our different perspectives. 
• Gratitude is also maintaining relationships even when things get hard. It’s about continuing to share your life and your story with the supportive people around you. 
• We need to be mindful of our social circles and who is in them, who is influencing us, and who we are influencing. Remember that relationships change and evolve over time.
• Our community members share very vulnerably with one another and with me, and for that I am so grateful. I am so grateful for everyone because we all show up each week to listen and support one another, all while practising strong confidentiality so everyone feels comfortable and confident in sharing what they need to during our time together. 

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

Today, we have Michelle, one of our amazing community members, on the podcast! Michelle graduated from the Global Health program at York University, specializing in Health Policy, Management, and Systems. She is one of our OG clients who has been working with us for about a year and a half now, starting all the way back in the Founders Cohort of Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission. We talk about Michelle’s journey through the application process, her growth and experience being a part of the Apply Yourself Community, and the work she engaged in that led to her finding herself again and getting accepted into the program of her dreams - Tune in to hear more!  

The Need for Community in Your Applications 
Michelle’s work on her applications has led to such life-changing transformations and mindset growth in how she approaches everything, from her flourishing personal relationships, to the way she presents herself on paper and in person, the way she perceives herself and the person she is growing to be, and so much more. I am so proud of the strides Michelle has made in our time together, and her story exemplifies the importance of having a positive community supporting you throughout the application process. Listen to this episode to learn more about:

• Michelle’s academic, professional, and personal experiences and interests; 
• Her experience working on her applications before joining the Apply Yourself Community vs. after, and the transformative growth into herself where she now feels more confident in her own abilities and the future she is striving towards;
• Insights into the ways visualization can help us gain clarity on our goals and next best steps; 
• The kind of growth that happens for our community members when they put in the work and show up for themselves each week in our group and 1:1 coaching calls; and
• The importance of asking for help when you need it, and to seek a community that is supportive, consistent, and committed to your success, and vice versa! 

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:
Episode 64: Listen To Your Body: When To Slow Down

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

Fighting Through Fear and External Validation with Farwa
Today, I'm joined by one of our dear clients, Farwa, who has made so many amazing strides in our short time working together! Farwa is an incoming candidate of the Master of Health Industry Administration Program at the Schulich School of Business, and a recent graduate of York University’s Global Health Program with a specialization in Health Policy, Management, and Systems. Farwa is a student leader and community worker with over three years of experience in community-based research, student engagement, and leadership development. She is interested in pursuing research pathways for humanitarian and community health, and exploring innovative and technological ways to improve health outcomes. I am so excited to be joined by Farwa so we can both celebrate her success and learn more about her journey.
 
Farwa dishes out all the details this episode and describes her experience with the application from before our work together to now. I am so happy to share that Farwa has gained admission into her top program of choice at Schulich, and she is so excited to begin this next chapter of her advancement journey. Listen to this episode to learn more about:

• Farwa’s academic background and professional interests in improving community health outcomes;
• Her experience working together in Mastering Academic Applications and The Success Society - through our coaching together, we were able to clearly define Farwa’s goals, aspirations, and thoughts in her application in a polished, professional, and concise way;
• Insights into the application process at one of Schulich's Masters programs and the kind of strategy and preparation needed for success in the application materials and interview process; 
• The level of personalized and customized support you gain by joining the Apply Yourself community, because we all come here each week with real vulnerability and readiness to share, accept, support, encourage, and strategize; and 
• Why we have a 90% success rate in getting our clients and community members into their dream schools and jobs through our various programs, coaching strategies, and non-competition principle. 

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

Doing LSAT Questions LIVE with Jaylene!
In this episode, I invite you to experience first-hand a live coaching session in Mastering Test Prep, which takes place every Thursday where we work together on your standardized test strategy. This coaching session features one of our amazing members, Jaylene, and we ended up working through three LSAT Reading Comprehension questions together- and we got them all right! We also implemented and fine-tuned some strategies for Jaylene to use and carry with her throughout her advancement. Jaylene has had a massive, transformative realization about herself and the way she has been approaching the test and questions - stick around until the end of the episode to find out! 

Studying for the LSAT Can Be Fun! and 5 Tips for LSAT and Standardized Test Success
Studying for your standardized test doesn’t have to be a gruelling, punishing, or lonely process. As this episode demonstrates, studying for the LSAT can be fun, it can evoke laughter and conversation, and it can produce some productive insights about your strategy and relationship with the test itself. Here are 5 tips to succeed at the LSAT and any standardized test: 

• When working through passages on the LSAT, it’s important to read for understanding rather than just going through the motions to answer questions. 
• We need to reframe the way we think about LSAT passages. It’s not that the wording in the passages doesn’t make sense, it just needs to make enough sense for us to be able to answer the questions efficiently and accurately. 
• As soon as we say “It just doesn’t make sense,” we’re letting go of our agency to do our standardized test, and we’re giving away the power we have to actually work through it. Instead, let’s reframe our mindset to “It’s tough, but I can do it.” 
• Our mind, ego, and feelings work in action to inform the ways we study and what answers we’re willing to take risks on.
• When undergoing these challenging processes and studying for standardized tests, we need support, community, people we can laugh with, the right kind of strategy, and people who understand the process to guide us through it.

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

The “Upper Limit Problem” and the Issue with Limiting Beliefs
You may have heard about The Upper Limit Problem, a term first coined by Gay Hendricks in his book “The Big Leap.” The Upper Limit is a construct of assumptions that we believe and place on ourselves, or assumptions that we have adopted over the course of our lives based on what we hear about ourselves from others, which limits us from succeeding and performing to our true potential. 

It’s only when we step back, reflect on ourselves, and develop our own frameworks for success that we see that many of these assumptions are totally constructed and holding us back. In this episode, I tell you about the ways this played out for one of our Apply Yourself community members while she was managing her chronic pain and medical needs and, after our work together, coming out of breaks and rest in a more productive way. 

Busting Through Limiting Beliefs: From Pain to Performance
The Upper Limit, or the limiting beliefs we have for ourselves, is often moulded by other people’s opinions, expectations, and perspectives of what is true for us. If we define our own stories by what other people say, then we would be living their life and not our own. So, it’s really important that we develop our own frameworks for success that work for us and our own circumstances. Here are some key takeaways from this episode: 

• Tune in to learn the difference between taking a break vs. taking rest and, importantly, doing both without guilt in order to come back energized and ready to perform at your best.
• You don’t need a reward and punishment system to “make yourself work.” What you need is your own framework for success that best works for you, based on your own circumstances, abilities, medical needs, perceptions, strategies, and other personal factors that contribute to your advancement. 
• It’s so crucial to validate your own experiences and perspectives without the need for other people’s validation or input. One story that this community member has been told her whole life, and eventually started to believe, was that her chronic pain was something to push through. 

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

Getting Rid of the Clutter
This week, I share with you one of the most important lessons I learned during my broken ankle healing journey and, more recently, in the process of packing up to move houses in September. That is, we really don’t need a lot of stuff! Think about all of your things: How many pots and pans do you actually use out of the whole set? How many clothes do you use per season?

Stuff can also refer to information that we seek to advance ourselves. At Apply Yourself, we get rid of the clutter when it comes to your advancement, applying for your programs, and answering all of your questions about applications. What you need is not an excess of information, but guidance from someone who has been there before and knows what it’s like behind the scenes as an admissions committee member. 

What Admissions Committees Are Looking For
While you’re preparing your applications, ask yourself: What information am I consuming? Based on my work with clients, what you need is a step by step plan with lessons and action tasks so you’re completing your applications alongside someone who can answer your questions. Here are some key takeaways from this episode: 

• Admissions committees are looking for the human being behind the application. They want to get to know you and your experience, and your application has to be drafted in the most authentic, committed, and polished way. 
• Committees can tell when applicants use AI to produce their statements for them. AI generated statements tend to be very surface level, robotic sounding, and don’t feel authentic. AI generated statements don’t speak to your experience or anything in your CV, resume, or autobiographical sketch, and it’s simply not you. 
• Ultimately, what you need is ongoing support, strategy, and accountability - and that’s what we do here! We provide customized support so you can apply all of our strategies and systems to you and your circumstances.

Links
Episode 57: Artificial Intelligence (AI) And Personal Statements

Episode 74: Update on My Ankle and Healing Journey - Part 2

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

No Shame in Rewriting Your Standardized Tests
In this episode, I unpack the perceptions around re-writing standardized tests and why it’s totally not a shameful thing. Students and applicants are often hesitant to talk about this, maybe out of disappointment, embarrassment, or fear of failure, but I’m here to tell you that this happens all the time. In fact, many of our guests on the podcast and I have re-written standardized tests. Re-writing doesn’t stop you from advancing and achieving your goals. In fact, it propels you toward them.

4 Things to Consider for Rewriting Standardized Tests
Standardized tests are not intuitive - they are skill-based and we have to learn the appropriate strategies to succeed in them over time. Here are some key takeaways: 

1. This process is part of a larger learning experience and it’s okay if you have to write again. It shows that you want what you’re working towards and you’re willing to improve.  
2. Know when you should cancel or keep your score. Ask yourself whether it’s actually necessary to cancel your score. Did you finish the test, but miss a few questions? Did you get sick during the test, causing you to be unable to finish? These are important considerations. Remember that people are getting in even if they answered the last few questions in a rush.
3. You need strategy to help you improve from one practice test or test attempt to the next. At Apply Yourself, we support you with strategy to improve on your timed or untimed tests, question stem review, and evolving your strategy in a way that works for you.
4. Remember that you’re writing the test for you, not for anyone else. Learn to turn inwards and focus on yourself during these really intense times, rather than relying on external validation from others. Staying internal protects yourself, your health, mindset, and peace during this process.

Links:
Episode 40: How To Showcase Yourself: Self-Actualization, Identity, And Your Voice With Jessica (Lane) Bassmahon
Episode 48: Why You DON’T Need To Obsess Over Your Standardized Tests

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

Update on My Ankle and Healing Journey - Part 2
This week's episode is Part 2 of My Ankle and Healing Journey! Last week, I shared that I was due for surgery three days after I learned my ankle went from a stable fracture to an unstable fracture with a significant bone displacement. Today, I give you the full details of everything that happened leading up to the surgery and post-surgery, so buckle up and enjoy the story! 

Learning to Let Go and Listening to the Universe
Finding the lessons behind why something is happening is one way that I can live without regret. After all, if it wasn’t for my broken ankle, then we would have never decided to move houses as quickly and seamlessly as we did. Did you expect that twist? Want to know the details? Tune in to find out more, and I am so happy to share this news with you all!

And, of course, here are some key takeaways from this episode: 

• It's so important to listen to the whispers of the universe. Listen to the things happening to you, around you, for you, and make the connections as they are happening to you, both in the moment and after the fact. Listening with intent keeps you on the right trajectory in your advancement journey because it allows you to reflect on what you want for yourself. 
• Be open to what can happen next for you in life. When it comes to your advancement, don’t push so hard for or against something. Whatever comes your way, receive it and lean into it while also being mindful of your own goals and abilities. 
• Sometimes, it’s okay to let go in order to welcome better things, all while being grateful for opportunities, support,  and the people around you along the way. 

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

Update on My Ankle and Healing Journey
If you follow us on Instagram, then you know that I have been keeping the Apply Yourself community updated on my broken ankle and healing journey. I want to give a big thank you to everyone who has followed along this journey with me, my ever supportive family, and to everyone who messaged me with well wishes. By the time this episode comes out, it will have been about a month since I broke my ankle. Today, I share with you some life updates and insights gained over the last few weeks. 

The Importance of Advocating for Yourself and Others
I always try to find the meaning behind why things are happening and the lessons that can be learned along the way. This journey has not been an easy one, and I am grateful to have this space to share my thoughts and reflections with such a supportive community. As mentioned in this episode, I recently learned that my ankle had a bone displacement that required surgery in order for me to regain full use and mobility without persisting pain. I get real honest and dish out all the details, so listen to this episode to hear more about: 

• My experience and the kinds of support I received while navigating internal and external challenges during my ankle healing journey; 
• The ways that my work as a professor and lawyer helps me relate this journey to my understanding of health policy, caregiving, and legal advocacy for others; 
• The importance of advocating for yourself and others, especially in a healthcare and caregiving context. Being an advocate means doing everything in your power to provide a voice and making sure that you or the other person receives the necessary care and support. 

Resources and links mentioned in this episode: 

Episode 32: Caring For Loved Ones During Our Times Of Advancement – Is It Possible? With Stephanie Muskat

Episode 71: Lessons From My Broken Ankle

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

For many students, a successful application period can introduce new challenges. When you’re in the position of choosing between two different paths, how do you decide which one will best support your goals?

Developing the Criteria for Identifying Your Best Path

In this episode of The Advancement Spot, I was pleased to be joined by Stephanie Sansone, a VIP Apply Yourself member who has been with us since day one through Mastering Academic Applications and The Success Society. During her graduate school application period, Steph was not only accepted to her top school but highly sought after by multiple grad school supervisors — an impressive feat!

Listen now to learn how she faced the challenge of choosing between two supervisors, and where she found the invaluable support that helped her confidently move forward with her decision.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The due diligence process that helped Steph settle on the ideal supervisor and institution for her career goals and mental health
• Steph’s tried-and-tested advice for students who are choosing between multiple supervisors
• How to conduct research in a way that allows you to more easily retain and apply what you’ve learned (and when it’s okay to use Google!)
• How the learning process differs from undergrad to grad school — and why you must remain open to “learning how to learn” 
• The mindset shift that will allow you to give yourself grace and experience growth during your academic journey

Guest bio: Stephanie Sansone is working on her Master’s in Science and Biology at York University, with the intention of applying to medical school.

Timestamps:‌ ‌

00:46  Meet Steph

02:54  Choosing between supervisors

06:03  Finding support

11:28  Mental health

14:16  Steph’s advice

16:05  Conducting research

20:59  Bridging the Google gap

26:01  Learning the learning process

28:39  Mindset

32:50  Biggest shift

36:57  Outro

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

This week we’re joined by Hyun Tae Kim! Hyun Tae is one of our wonderful LSAT coaches and I am so excited to have him back on the podcast so we can further get to know him, his experience, and his journey. 

Navigating the LSAT, Law School, and the Canadian Education System
Hyun Tae’s experiences and the work that he does reflects his ongoing resiliency, self-reflection, and objectivity as he progresses through his next chapter in life, both as a Canadian law school student and as an LSAT Coach with Apply Yourself! His story reflects many of the challenges and successes that many students with English as a second language experience. Listen to this episode to learn more about:

• Hyun Tae’s academic background and his life in South Korea, where he graduated from one of the top universities of the country, Seoul National University;
• The kinds of transferable skills that Hyun Tae gained from writing standardized tests in South Korea, and the ways these skills helped him to succeed on the LSAT and gain admission to the University of Toronto Faculty of Law program;
• The kind of support and strategy Hyun Tae can provide students who are writing their standardized tests, based on his experience writing standardized tests in both the South Korean and Canadian educational systems;
• Hyun Tae’s experience navigating through an English-speaking institution and writing English standardised tests, like the LSAT, with English as a second language; and
• The importance of being objective and confident in yourself, your skills, abilities, and goals in order to remain reflective and  true to yourself and what you want to achieve. Don’t let fear, insecurity, and other people’s expectations and opinions dictate you, your goals, and the kind of life you want to live.

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:
Episode 68: Meet Our LSAT & MCAT Coaches! Part 1: Hyun Tae Kim, Olga Shaporenko, Marco Kim, Jonathan Mackenzie —> https://applyyourselfglobal.com/ep-68/ 

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫

Lessons From My Broken Ankle
At the time of recording this episode, I am joining you not from the office or my usual desk space, but from my bed where I have been sitting and recovering from a broken ankle.  My initial thought as this accident happened was, “There is something to be learned from this," and I today explore this lesson with you.   

Letting Yourself Process and Keeping a Positive Mindset
The main lesson I bring to you today is this: Allow yourself to process and seek out the lessons you can learn from challenges. This mindset shift allows us to take challenges in stride and have deeper insight into what is going on around us. Personally, I am still processing and I want to bring you along this journey with me. Here are some key takeaways from this episode: 

• There's no rush when it comes to processing events that happen to you. Being able to process freely and openly is a skill that takes years to master, so let the processing happen and welcome the thinking that comes with it. 
• We don’t see progress in one day. It takes consistency and showing up for yourself and others in order to succeed. I continue to show up each day, even while in a cast for my ankle, because I truly believe in the work we are doing and I love being a part of my clients’ journeys. 
• We do the work that we do in order to serve our clients to the best of our abilities, and to build a life beyond our wildest dreams. 
• I am so grateful to you for showing up to the podcast each week and allowing me to let you into my life.
•  We just brought on 10 LSAT and MCAT coaches for our Mastering Test Prep program, and we continue to work with all of our teams to bring our programs to you and support your advancement journey. I am so thankful and proud of all of the people we have brought onto the team and everyone we work with under the mission of Apply Yourself. 

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:
Episode 2: Adrienne’s Professional Path —> https://applyyourselfglobal.com/ep-2/ 

Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission is now open for you to complete your applications in 12-weeks! With live coaching, you develop your applications & gain insights into your applications processes like never before. Join us now using this link to enroll!

Connect with Adrienne!

Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com. You can also DM me on Instagram @applyyourselfglobal.

Ask the Expert

Have any questions on applications, success, test prep, and more? Send your questions us, or you can submit an audio file via Instagram DM and we can feature you on the podcast!

Work with Adrienne

💫 Calling all applicants! Learn more about our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission and how you can complete your applications — with clarity, support, structure, and strategy with Dr. Adrienne Shnier, an Admissions Committee Member. Book your Strategy Call HERE to learn more about how AYG can help you Get In.💫