Terms and Conditions
Last Updated: September 2025
Acceptance & Eligibility
By accessing or using the Ivy Peers platform (“Ivy Peers,” “we,” “us,” or “the platform”), you agree to these Terms of Service (“Terms”). If you do not agree, please do not use our services. You must be at least 18 years old (or have parent/guardian consent if under 18) to use Ivy Peers. You agree to provide accurate information when registering and to keep your registration information secure and confidential.
Our Services
Ivy Peers provides an online mentorship marketplace connecting applicants (“mentees”) with experienced mentors for educational and admissions guidance. We facilitate scheduling and payment for mentorship sessions, but we are not a party to the actual mentor-mentee sessions or any agreements between mentors and mentees. Mentors on Ivy Peers are independent contractors who set their own rates. Ivy Peers does not endorse or guarantee any mentor or any advice given. All mentor-mentee interactions are at your own risk, and Ivy Peers is not responsible for the content of sessions or any outcomes from the advice provided.
Mentor and Mentee Responsibilities
All users agree to use Ivy Peers in a professional and respectful manner. Mentors must maintain confidentiality of any personal information or materials shared by mentees. Mentors may not share or disclose mentees’ personal data or session details with anyone outside the platform without permission. (However, note that Ivy Peers staff may review session transcripts internally or share them with an alternative mentor for quality control or continuity of service – see Privacy Policy below.) Mentees also agree to respect mentors’ privacy and not share any personal contact information or session content publicly. Both mentors and mentees are expected to communicate only through the Ivy Peers platform and not engage in harassment, hate, or any inappropriate behavior. Any misconduct can result in termination of your account.
Payments, Fees, and Commission
Mentor Rates: Mentors set their own hourly/session rates on the platform. Fees for specific session lengths or packages will be listed on the website.
Payment Process: Mentees must pay in full at the time of booking in order to secure a mentorship session. No session is considered confirmed until payment has been received and processed by Ivy Peers. Payments are processed via PayPal or other authorized processors. By booking a session, you authorize Ivy Peers (or its processor) to charge your payment method for the mentor’s fees.
Platform Commission: Ivy Peers will collect a service fee of 30% of the mentee’s payment as our commission, and the remaining 70% will be remitted to the mentor. This commission covers platform maintenance and administrative costs. Mentors acknowledge that payouts (minus our fee) will be delivered to them (e.g. via PayPal) as arranged by Ivy Peers.
No Additional Taxes/Fees: Unless otherwise stated, the listed session price includes all applicable charges. Ivy Peers is not responsible for any foreign exchange fees or bank charges that users may incur.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
No Refunds: All payments for completed mentorship sessions are non-refundable. Because mentors reserve time and provide their expertise, we cannot offer refunds if you are dissatisfied with the advice or outcome of a session. The time and guidance given by the mentor cannot be reclaimed, and payment is owed for the mentor’s time.
Satisfaction Guarantee: Although we do not provide cash refunds, Ivy Peers wants you to have a good experience. If you are truly unsatisfied with a session or a mentor for a valid reason, please contact us within a reasonable time. At our discretion, we may offer to connect you with a different mentor for a replacement session at no additional cost to you as a one-time courtesy. This courtesy session (if granted) is subject to availability and our review of the circumstances. Abuse of this policy (e.g. repeated unjustified complaints) is not permitted.
Cancellations: If you need to cancel or reschedule a session, please do so at least 24 hours before the session start. Cancellations that occur less than 24 hours before the session start or no-shows will be charged the full session fee, unless the mentor agrees to reschedule. If a mentor must cancel, we will endeavor to reschedule the session or ensure you are not charged for that session.
No Outside Contact or Payments (Non-Circumvention)
All mentorship sessions and communications between mentors and mentees must take place on the Ivy Peers platform. Users (both mentors and mentees) are strictly prohibited from arranging meetings, sessions, or payments outside of the platform for any connection that was made through Ivy Peers. In other words, mentors and mentees must not share personal contact information to bypass the platform and must not accept or solicit payments directly (offline or through other services) for sessions that originate from Ivy Peers.
If a mentor or mentee is found to be meeting outside the platform or transacting outside the platform, both parties will be subject to immediate account termination (ban) and removal from Ivy Peers. We reserve the right to withhold any payouts to the mentor in such cases, and the mentee may forfeit any future use of the platform. By using Ivy Peers, you agree to notify us if any user suggests moving off-platform for sessions or payments. We may monitor messages on the platform to enforce this non-circumvention policy. Violating this section is considered a serious breach of these Terms.
Disclaimer of Admissions Guarantees and No Affiliation
Ivy Peers provides mentorship and advice, but we do not guarantee any particular outcome from using our services. This includes no guarantee of admission to any school, college, or university of your choice. Admissions decisions are made solely by the educational institutions. You acknowledge that mentors’ guidance is just one factor and there is no promise or warranty that their advice will result in acceptance, scholarships, or any specific result.
Furthermore, Ivy Peers and its mentors are not affiliated with any college or university admissions office or committee. We do not have any influence on admissions decisions, and mentors will not communicate with admissions officers or act on your behalf in the admissions process. The role of Ivy Peers is to provide insights and feedback to help you improve your applications; however, final admissions outcomes are beyond our control and responsibility. All mentorship advice is given in good faith based on mentors’ experience, but you should always use your own judgment and understand that results can vary widely.
Other Disclaimers
Use at Your Own Risk: Ivy Peers services are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis without warranties of any kind. We do not warrant that the platform will be uninterrupted or error-free, or that any guidance provided is perfect or will meet your expectations. Ivy Peers disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
No Endorsement: We do not endorse any particular mentor or mentee. While we may vet mentors to some degree (e.g. verifying their credentials), we do not guarantee the accuracy of any mentor’s profile or any statements they make.
User Content: Any content you share (such as your application essays, personal data, or messages) is your responsibility. We are not responsible for what mentors or mentees communicate or any advice given. You assume all risk when applying advice obtained through the platform. Ivy Peers will not be liable for any decisions you make based on mentorship.
Third-Party Services: The platform may use third-party services (for payment processing, video chat, etc.). We make no guarantees regarding those third-party tools and have no liability for their performance. Use of third-party services may be subject to their own terms.
Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Ivy Peers and its team will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising out of or related to your use of the platform or services. This includes, for example, loss of opportunities, lost profits, data loss, emotional distress, or other intangible losses. We are not liable for any harm resulting from your reliance on mentor advice, or from any meetings or communications between users. In no event will Ivy Peers’ total liability to you exceed the amount you have paid us in the past 12 months for mentorship services. Some jurisdictions do not allow certain liability limitations; in such cases, our liability will be limited to the minimum extent permitted by law.
Release: You agree to release and hold harmless Ivy Peers from any and all claims arising from dealings between mentors and mentees. Ivy Peers is not responsible for any personal meetings outside the platform, and we bear no liability for any outcomes of mentorship, including college admission decisions or any consequences thereof. Use the platform and advice at your own discretion and risk.
Termination of Accounts
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to Ivy Peers at any time if you violate these Terms or engage in behavior harmful to others, or for any other reason at our sole discretion. Such termination may occur without prior notice. If your account is terminated due to a breach of terms (for example, circumventing the platform or misconduct), you are not entitled to any refund or compensation for any unused sessions. We may ban both mentors and mentees involved in serious violations (such as off-platform dealings or inappropriate conduct). Upon termination, you must cease using the platform and its content. Sections of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination (such as Non-Circumvention, Disclaimers, Limitation of Liability, etc.) will continue to apply.
Changes to Terms
Ivy Peers may update or modify these Terms from time to time. We will notify users of any material changes by posting the updated Terms on our website (or via email notification). The changes will become effective immediately upon posting, and your continued use of the services after the update constitutes acceptance of the new Terms. We encourage you to review the Terms periodically. If you do not agree to a revised term, you should stop using the platform.
Notice of Dispute
In the event of a dispute, you or Ivy Peers must provide the other with a Notice of Dispute. This notice must be a written statement that sets out the name, address, and contact information of the party giving it, the facts giving rise to the dispute, and the relief requested. You must send any Notice of Dispute by submitting an inquiry via our website. Ivy Peers will send any Notice of Dispute to you by mail if we have your mailing address, or otherwise by email to the address associated with your account. You and Ivy Peers will attempt in good faith to resolve any dispute through informal negotiation within sixty (60) days from the date the Notice of Dispute is sent. If the dispute is not resolved within that time period, either party may commence arbitration.
Binding Arbitration
If you and Ivy Peers do not resolve a dispute by informal negotiation, the dispute will be settled exclusively through binding arbitration. By agreeing to these Terms, you waive the right to litigate disputes in court before a judge or jury or to participate in a class action or other representative proceeding. Arbitration will be conducted in New York, NY in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Any and all legal, accounting, and other costs, fees, and expenses incurred by the prevailing party shall be borne by the non-prevailing party.
Governing Law
These Terms of Service are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict of law principles. By using the platform, you agree that any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the services will be resolved exclusively through binding arbitration in New York, NY, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association, as described in the Dispute Resolution and Arbitration section above. Users accessing the platform from outside the United States are responsible for compliance with their local laws if applicable. Ivy Peers’ failure to enforce any provision of these Terms shall not be deemed a waiver of its right to do so later, and if any part of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder shall continue in full force and effect.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please submit an inquiry via our website.
By using Ivy Peers, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to these Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. We appreciate your trust in Ivy Peers and are committed to protecting your rights and providing a valuable mentorship experience.