Mentor Terms of Agreement

Thank you for your interest in Project SHORT! Please carefully read the following terms and agreements about our policies. By taking part in Project SHORT’s services, you agree to the following Terms and Services outlined below:

I – Services to Be Provided

I.a – Duration of Services: The provision of services begins upon the date of initial contact. Services are valid until the mentee has been accepted into a graduate program or when the mentor and mentee both decide to formally end the mentorship.

I.b – Site and Scheduling of Services: Services will be provided virtually through email or Google Docs, or a third-party platform such as Zoom. Meetings will be scheduled by email at mutually convenient times. 

I.c – List of Services: We define below a comprehensive list of our services. Access to these services will be dependent upon availability. Not all services listed will be applicable for all degree programs we mentor. Mentees and mentors may exceed the feedback limits outlined below as long as it is mutually agreed upon.

  1. Communication: Once the initial introductions are made between mentee and mentors, neither the mentee or mentor needs to loop in Project SHORT for the future communications.
    • Online meetings: Project SHORT recommends clear communication between mentors and mentees wherein they suggest a few possible timings that they are available with to begin with for the first meeting. Following this, we expect the exchange of drafts for personal statements, diversity statements, and CV. We expect mentors to hold two more sessions. The second one to provide verbal feedback on the overall structure of the write-ups and school selection and another one for a mock interview session following the applicant’s hearing back from schools.
    • Email: The mentors and mentees can hold more meetings if necessary but we encourage mentees to share their questions on email or any other mode of communication they are using with mentors to expedite the feedback process instead of spending time to schedule online meetings. Hence, each service includes unlimited email correspondence as is necessary to discuss general questions and review feedback and comments.
  2. Personal Statement Feedback: Personal Statement Feedback includes an initial review of one personal statement, with up to 2 rounds of subsequent feedback on that statement, for a total of 3 drafts reviewed. We expect the mentee to provide the mentor with one personal statement geared toward a single school and then adapt that for other applications. We request our mentees to not provide mentors with a separate personal statement geared towards every single school of their choice. While they can receive guidance on how to stand out for every application, we do not encourage them to ask mentors to edit them separately.
  3. Diversity/other statements: Feedback for a diversity statement includes a review of 3 iterations of one statement and then the applicant can apply this to their statements for every school of choice. While they can receive guidance on how to stand out to every school, we do not encourage them to ask mentors to individually provide feedback for every school.
  4. CV Feedback: CV Feedback includes an initial review, with another round of subsequent feedback, for a total of 2 drafts reviewed.
  5. Mock Interviews: Mock Interviews include 1 virtual session with feedback lasting up to, but not exceeding, 90 minutes. Additional sessions may be scheduled at the discretion of the Mentor.
  6. School Selection Advice: School Selection Advice includes a review of your initial school list, with up to 2 subsequent reviews. Project SHORT does not guarantee admission of any type to any specific school or program.
  7. General Advice: General Advice encompasses any advice regarding the graduate school cycle not specified through the above services. Advice represents the opinion of the mentor, and is not endorsed by Project SHORT as an organization.
  8. Email Communication: Each service includes unlimited email correspondence as is necessary to discuss general questions and review feedback and comments.

I.d – Feedback Communication: Feedback on drafts will be provided by email or Google Doc, and/or through a third-party platform such as Zoom. 

II - Expectations: We hold our mentors to a defined set of standards, outlined below. Continuous violation of these standards may result in dismissal from the Project SHORT Team.
  1. Mentors are expected to reply to mentee inquiries within 5 business days of receipt, unless prior arrangements have been made that would alter these expectations.
  2. Mentors are expected to notify the Executive Board if they are unable to continue mentoring for the foreseeable future by emailing pre-grad@project-short.com and cc’ing contact@project-short.com.
  3. Mentors are expected to provide feedback, not line edit or ghost write. Feedback should be clear, concise, and constructive, and the rationale for changes clearly explained and articulated to the mentee.


III – Mentee Privacy and Confidentiality: Mentors will not share Mentee information with third-parties. Any discussion of Mentee-related issues - via Slack, email, or other methods of communication - will be done anonymously. All written and oral information and materials disclosed or provided by the Mentee to the Mentor constitute Confidential Information. This means all data and information relating to the mentee, including but not limited to, names of mentees and mentee contact information. Except when given consent by the mentee, mentors must keep Confidential Information confidential. Confidential Information will remain the exclusive property of the mentee and will only be used by the mentor for permitted purposes. Mentors will not use the Confidential Information for any purpose that might be directly or indirectly detrimental to the mentee or any associated affiliates.

IV – Rescheduling: Scheduling of meetings, drafts, and all other services will be done when mutually convenient for both the Mentor and the Mentee. When there are legitimate scheduling conflicts – including but not limited to exams, travel, or illness – on either side, both the Mentor and Mentee are expected to decide on a mutually agreed upon date to reschedule.

V – Mentor Privacy and Confidentiality: Project SHORT will not share your personal information with any third parties or publicize any of your information with any third parties without prior written consent. All information collected on behalf of Project SHORT shall remain confidential and de-identified. 


VI – Mentor/Mentee Conflict: If the Mentor has any issues with their Mentee, Project SHORT will do our best to resolve such conflicts including, but not limited to, mediating the situation individually with both parties, or re-assigning the Mentee to a new Mentor. All requests and issues will be taken seriously. Please email us on contact@project-short.com or message us on the mentor-hotline channel on slack.

VII – Ethics Statement: It is the responsibility of the client to write all application material themselves and hold themselves to standards of academic integrity and honesty. Mentors will not write any application materials for the client. 

VIII – Indemnification:

  1. Client shall defend and indemnify and hold harmless Project SHORT and its directors, officers, employees, agents, affiliates, subcontractors and customers from and against all allegations, claims, actions, suits, demands, damages, liabilities, obligations, losses, settlements, judgments, costs and expenses (including without limitation attorneys’ fees and costs) which arise out of, relate to or result from any act or omission of primary operations or business related activities of Project SHORT.
  2. Project SHORT shall defend and indemnify and hold harmless User and his/her affiliates from and against all allegations, claims, actions, suits, demands, damages, liabilities, obligations, losses, settlements, judgments, costs and expenses (including without limitation attorneys’ fees and costs) which arise out of, relate to or result from any act or omission of application materials or actions related to the medical school admissions process.

IX - Other: Project SHORT reserves the right to modify, update, and amend the clauses and sections of this Agreement at any time subject to recognition and re-signature of both Project SHORT and User. Failure to recognize and resign any updated Agreement that may arise will result in the loss of services.

X - Termination: User reserves the right to Cancel services or terminate their relationship with Project SHORT at any time with or without cause and with or without notice.