How Ella Holliday Found Confidence, Direction, and Support on Her Pre-Law Journey
Tue Feb 03 2026
In this episode of Success Unlocked, Dr. Adrienne Shnier sits down with Ella Holliday, President of Phi Alpha Delta at the University of Kentucky, to talk about confidence, self-image, and what real support looks like on the pre-law path.
Ella shares how a single workshop at the Phi Alpha Delta National Conference shifted her entire mindset around law school applications, personal statements, and self-worth. From moving away from checklist thinking to understanding that she gets to choose her law school as much as they choose her, Ella reflects on how clarity and self-trust transformed how she approaches conversations, networking, and her future.
This episode explores the gaps in traditional law school support systems, the importance of direction over pressure, and how valuing your experiences can completely change how you show up as an applicant and as a person. It’s an honest, encouraging conversation about slowing down, taking things one step at a time, and building confidence before the application even begins.
What You’ll Learn
✔ How Ella’s mindset shifted after attending a personal statement workshop at the Phi Alpha Delta National Conference
✔ Why moving from “what do they want from me?” to “what do I have to offer?” changed everything
✔ How clarity and self-image affect networking, applications, and professional conversations
✔ Why law school applications feel lonely for so many students and what support is often missing
✔ The difference between checklist-based advice and real strategy
✔ How to approach law school one step at a time without overwhelming yourself
✔ Why valuing your experiences matters more than trying to impress admissions committees
✔ How confidence plays a role in applying for scholarships and believing you deserve them
✔ What it means to separate your personal value from your achievements
✔ Why community, mentorship, and alignment matter in long-term 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.💫
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In this episode of Success Unlocked, Dr. Adrienne Shnier sits down with Ella Holliday, President of Phi Alpha Delta at the University of Kentucky, to talk about confidence, self-image, and what real support looks like on the pre-law path. Ella shares how a single workshop at the Phi Alpha Delta National Conference shifted her entire mindset around law school applications, personal statements, and self-worth. From moving away from checklist thinking to understanding that she gets to choose her law school as much as they choose her, Ella reflects on how clarity and self-trust transformed how she approaches conversations, networking, and her future. This episode explores the gaps in traditional law school support systems, the importance of direction over pressure, and how valuing your experiences can completely change how you show up as an applicant and as a person. It’s an honest, encouraging conversation about slowing down, taking things one step at a time, and building confidence before the application even begins. What You’ll Learn ✔ How Ella’s mindset shifted after attending a personal statement workshop at the Phi Alpha Delta National Conference ✔ Why moving from “what do they want from me?” to “what do I have to offer?” changed everything ✔ How clarity and self-image affect networking, applications, and professional conversations ✔ Why law school applications feel lonely for so many students and what support is often missing ✔ The difference between checklist-based advice and real strategy ✔ How to approach law school one step at a time without overwhelming yourself ✔ Why valuing your experiences matters more than trying to impress admissions committees ✔ How confidence plays a role in applying for scholarships and believing you deserve them ✔ What it means to separate your personal value from your achievements ✔ Why community, mentorship, and alignment matter in long-term 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.💫