Dr. Adrienne Shnier, B.A. (Hons.), M.A., Ph.D., J.D.
Founder & CEO
Advancement Coach & Strategist

adrienne@applyyourselfglobal.com
(416) 781-0900






Hi, I'm Adrienne!

Dr. Adrienne Shnier
Success & Performance Coach
Admissions Specialist

At Apply Yourself, we help students and young professionals achieve their academic and professional dreams through health-conscious coaching, strategy, and application development. 

I’m Dr. Adrienne Shnier, CEO & Founder, Success & Performance Coach, and Admissions Specialist at Apply Yourself: The Advancement Spot Inc. since 2015. I am also a Toronto-based university professor at York University and Health Law Faculty at Osgoode Hall Law School in the Professional LLM in Health Law program, and lawyer and founder of Shnier Mackenzie Law & Policy Consulting, PC.  

As an Admissions Committee Member and Hiring/Promotions Committee Member, I have reviewed thousands of applications – only to find that, time and time again, many applications from otherwise qualified candidates leave the committees wanting to know more about the applicants and what they have to offer. I have found that many applicants may have the experience and skills that the committees are looking for, but their applications do not clearly frame and showcase their experiences, skills, attributes, values, and goals. Importantly, the various components of applications should all work together to create a narrative about the applicant (you!), but, instead, the application materials are fragmented with gaps. Founded and informed based on my experience, Apply Yourself can help you.

At Apply Yourself, we want to see you shine – develop the glow that comes only from dreaming big and, then, achieving and surpassing your professional goals to create the life you want – that life beyond your wildest dreams.

We can't wait to meet you!

Helping students and professionals dream big, and then cultivate the mindset, skills, and strategy to get there, brings us so much joy.  

We also help to alleviate the weight of application processes by demystifying them and helping you navigate the options and requirements. From applications to universities for graduate programs, professional degrees, to professional promotions and career transitions, we coach and strategize with our clients to help you become informed, with clear goals, a clear path forward, and with a tangible plan that we execute together.  

Apply Yourself works with students and professionals to develop important writing, research, critical analysis, public speaking, and interview skills, as well as apply these skills in their applications and interviews to gain admission into a wide variety of professional and graduate academic programs and careers.

We also support professionals and students at all levels who are looking to hone and refine their research and writing skills specific to their fields. We coach students throughout their academic journeys to complete their graduate and professional programs successfully.

Adrienne's Experience

I am a lawyer and Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Faculty of Health (School of Health Policy & Management and School of Global Health) at York University. I am also Health Law Faculty at Osgoode Hall Law School in the LLM Program in Health

Over the past decade, I have had the privilege of teaching thousands of students in research-, writing-, and skills-based courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. I also supervise both undergraduate and graduate students at York University.

I bring to the table over a decade of experience with applications, research, academic and professional writing, university-level teaching, academic journal peer-review, and my active participation on admissions committees and search committees. On these committees, I have been responsible for reviewing hundreds of applications including resumes, cover letters, writing samples, reference letters, and conducted paneled interviews – I can tell you that the materials that have been carefully and thoughtfully crafted, well-written, and well-formatted stand out very clearly.

My law firm, Shnier Mackenzie Law & Policy Consulting, PC, practices in civil law, corporate law, health law, patient rights and advocacy, franchising, and provides policy consulting and general counsel services to health care companies and health professional associations. Prior to founding Shnier Mackenzie Law & Policy Consulting, I completed my articles at a well-established civil litigation firm in downtown Toronto, which specializes in medical malpractice, personal injury, and commercial litigation. 

Adrienne's Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.), 2019, Osgoode Hall Law School
Service: Editor-in-Chief, Osgoode Health Law Association (2017-2019)

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), 2016, Health Policy & Equity, York University
Service: Co-Chair, Health Graduate Student Association 2013-2016)

Master of Arts (M.A.), 2012, Health Policy & Equity, York University

Honours Bachelor of Arts (B.A., Hons.), 2011, Health & Society, York University
Summa Cum Laude

Bar Admission

Ontario, 2020

Professional Associations

Law Society of Ontario
The Advocates’ Society
Canadian Association for Health Services & Policy Research (CAHSPR)

Awards

Osgoode Hall Law School: Sir Jack Jacob Prize in the Administration of Justice, Administration of Civil Justice: Class Actions (2019)

York University: Nominee, Ian Greene Award for Teaching Excellence (2012)

York University: Gina Feldberg Award (2009)

York University: Health & Society Book Prize (2009, 2008)






Outside of the office

I love to spend time with my wonderful daughters, husband, family, and friends. I am so appreciative of the amazing people in my life. 

You’ll find me in strength training, spinning, and yoga classes, outdoors, and enjoying a latte on a nice patio!

Let us support you as you invest yourself and in your future.
We are excited to work with you to help you create and build a life beyond your wildest dreams.