Episode 130: From Strategy to Acceptance: Veronica’s Law School Journey to Osgoode

In this real-talk episode of Success Unlocked, Dr. Adrienne Shnier sits down with the brilliant (and now Osgoode Law School–bound) Veronica D’Ambrosio to talk about everything the highlight reel doesn’t show. Spoiler: getting into Osgoode isn’t just about a perfect LSAT score; it’s about mindset, accountability, and doing the inner work no one tells you about.
Veronica opens up about what it takes to get in - from managing the anxiety of “the unknown,” to resisting the urge to compare yourself to every other overachiever online. She shares how travel became self-care, why she stopped chasing gold stars, and how the Apply Yourself Global program gave her structure, clarity, and a whole new kind of confidence.
This episode is your reminder that you don’t need to be perfect; you just need to be honest, consistent, and strategic. And yes, you can do hard things (like getting into one of the top law schools in the country) without burning out.
If you're in the thick of applications, this one’s your permission slip to stop spiraling and start owning your story.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why starting early isn’t just smart - it’s your secret weapon
- How to stop making everything feel like punishment and start using rewards as motivation
- Why authenticity > copy-paste personal statements (every single time)
- What to do when comparison kicks in and your confidence tanks
- The underrated power of having actual support instead of relying on Reddit threads
- How to lean into structure and coaching calls so you don’t lose steam
- Why your “why” matters more than your scores
- The truth: You don’t need to do this alone, and you shouldn’t
Timestamps:
00:00 – Veronica’s Journey: Real, raw, and unfiltered
02:35 – Why Travel Is More Than Just a Break
06:43 – Reward vs. Necessity: The Mindset Shift That Changed Everything
07:45 – The Anxiety of the Unknown (and how to stop spiraling)
11:15 – Starting Early: Not Optional
15:37 – Inside the Program: Structure That Actually Works
20:53 – Building a Community That Gets It
23:59 – Accountability Calls: Yes, You Need Them
25:09 – Reflections That Change Your Trajectory
25:56 – Finding Your Why (and owning it)
32:03 – No One Cares About Perfect—Be Authentic
37:10 – Stop Comparing. Start Owning.
43:29 – The Power of S
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Connect with Adrienne!
Looking for support with your graduate or professional school applications? Connect with us at Apply Yourself Global™! Email me personally at [email protected]. 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.💫