Terms of Service

This agreement establishes that Kate Stone Education, LLC (“Company”), will provide college prep and college admissions consulting services to you and your family members (“Clients”). As independent educational advisors, we aim to empower students by identifying opportunities and developing realistic paths toward their desired educational goals.

Contract & Agreement

A. COMPANY RESPONSIBILITIES

University Gurus agrees to provide the college consulting services described in the selected service package as indicated in the separate service description document, which is incorporated by reference into this agreement. The scope of services is outlined in detail on our website: universitygurus.com. Services are tailored to each student’s needs, and outcomes may vary.

B. PRIVACY POLICY

The Company shall protect and keep confidential all information provided by the Client, including student records, contact information, and proprietary materials shared during the consulting process. We will only use the information provided for the purpose of fulfilling our obligations under this agreement. The Company reserves the right to share Client testimonials

The Company complies with applicable data protection laws and regulations, including, where relevant, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). We will not disclose personal information to third parties without the Client’s consent, except where required by law.

Clients agree to keep all communications and materials shared by Company confidential and not to disclose them to third parties without written permission.

C. SMS COMMUNICATION

    By providing your phone number, you consent to receive SMS messages from Company regarding our services, updates, and other relevant information. These messages may be sent for appointment reminders, notifications, and promotional purposes.

    You may opt out of receiving SMS messages at any time by replying “STOP” to any text message received. Standard message and data rates may apply based on your mobile carrier’s policies.

    We may share your phone number with our SMS service provider solely for the purpose of sending these messages. We will provide users with advance notice before sharing phone numbers with third-party SMS service providers, except in cases where the service is needed to operate our business and the service provider agrees to keep your information confidential. The service provider is required to use your information only for sending Company communications.

    We comply with all applicable laws and regulations regarding SMS communication, including the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). We will not send unsolicited messages and will only send SMS communications to users who have provided explicit consent.

    We may also share your phone number when necessary to comply with legal obligations, enforce our policies, or protect the rights, property, or safety of ourselves or others.

    D. USE OF THE WEBSITE

    By accessing or using this website (“Site”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use. If you do not agree with any of these terms, you are prohibited from using the Site.

    You agree to use the Site only for lawful purposes and in a way that does not infringe the rights of, restrict, or inhibit anyone else’s use of the Site. Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to, hacking, transmitting malware, and posting defamatory or obscene content.

    All content on this Site, including text, images, logos, and other materials, is owned by or licensed to the Company and is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. You may use the content for personal, non-commercial purposes only. Any reproduction, distribution, or modification of the content without prior written consent from the Company is prohibited.

    The Company reserves the right to modify the Site Terms of Use at any time. Any changes will be effective immediately upon posting on this Site, and your continued use of the Site constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.

    The Company will not be liable for any damages arising out of your use or inability to use the Site, including but not limited to direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages.

    You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from your use of the Site.

    The Company reserves the right to suspend or terminate access to the Site at its discretion, without notice, for any conduct that violates these Terms of Use or is harmful to the Company or other users.

    These Terms of Use are governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict of law principles.

    Your use of the Site is also subject to our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information. By using the Site, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the Privacy Policy. The Privacy Policy outlines the types of information collected, how it is used, and the circumstances under which it may be shared. It also provides details on data security, the use of cookies, and your rights regarding your personal data.

    E. CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES

    Parents agree to actively participate in the college consulting process by:

    • Reviewing all communications from Company in a timely manner.
    • Engaging in discussions regarding the college list, essay drafts, and application strategies.
    • Reaching out to Company with any questions or concerns throughout the process.

    Students agree to fulfill the following obligations to ensure a successful college consulting experience:

    • Attend all scheduled meetings, with action items completed beforehand.
    • Provide at least 48 hours’ notice if a session needs to be canceled or rescheduled. For Clients with hourly or pay-as-you-go packages, any session canceled or rescheduled with less than 48 hours’ notice will be considered completed and charged accordingly.
    • Communicate promptly via text or email if assistance or clarification is needed at any point.
    • Dedicate a minimum of 3-6 hours per week to essay writing and college preparation tasks during the essay writing phase, and at least 1-2 hours per week to college list development during the list-building phase.

    F. USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)

    Attend all scheduled meetings, with action items completed beforehand.

    Provide a minimum of 48 hours’ notice if a session needs to be canceled or rescheduled.

    Communicate promptly via text or email if assistance or clarification is needed at any point.

    The Company incorporates AI tools as part of our educational process to enhance students’ research and writing skills. We aim to empower students by teaching them how to effectively and ethically use AI for educational purposes.

    We may use AI tools to assist students in finding resources, generating research ideas, and organizing information. Students are encouraged to use AI as a starting point for research; however, they must verify any critical or factual information directly with The Company, educational institutions, or other authoritative sources.

    The Company has a strict policy against using AI-generated content for any part of a student’s college application essays. All written content must be composed in the student’s own language, reflecting their original voice, thoughts, and experiences. This policy applies to students, parents, and Company staff members. Essays submitted as part of the college application process must be the student’s authentic work.

    We will teach students best practices for responsible AI use, including understanding AI’s limitations and potential inaccuracies. While AI can provide helpful starting points and suggestions, students are expected to critically assess and fact-check any information obtained through AI tools.

    G. AMENDMENT AND MODIFICATION

    This agreement may only be modified or amended in writing, with the written consent of both parties. Any changes to this agreement must be documented and signed by both parties to be effective.

    The Company will notify Clients of any proposed changes to the terms or services. Continued use of the services after receiving notice constitutes acceptance of the modified terms.

    H. TERMINATION

    Termination Policy: This contract can be terminated by either party within 15 days of signing of the contract. Written notice will be binding either by mail or by email as long as both parties acknowledge receipt.

    If the agreement is terminated during that time, the family will be refunded the amount paid, less the hourly rate ($750) for any services that have already been provided by Company. Services include but are not limited to time spent researching, responding to emails, text messages, and phone calls, and general preparation for student meetings.

    All parties agree to act in good faith based on the above defined responsibilities and services. Clients understand that the role of Company is to provide support and assistance with college prep and admissions coaching and that acceptance to college is not promised or guaranteed. Liability for all services provided shall be limited to payments received. The below signatures initiate a contractual agreement between Company and the Clients.

    By signing any service agreements, the Client whose signature is provided will be held accountable for all payments, breaches of contract [including breaches by the student and other guardian(s)], and any requests to terminate this contact.

    I. ARBITRATION CLAUSE

    Governing Law and Arbitration of Disputes. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York. Any disputes shall be submitted to the American Arbitration Association and shall be heard before a single judge under the rules of the American Arbitration Association in the State of New York.
    The undersigned clients agree to the fullest extent permitted by law, to indemnify Kate Stone Education, LLC its officers, directors, employees, and sub-contractors (collectively, Consultant) against any and all claims, losses, damages, liabilities, penalties, punitive damages, expenses, reasonable legal fees, and costs of any kind or amount whatsoever arising out of or in any way connected with this project or the performance by any of the parties named of the services under this agreement. The indemnification will survive the termination of this Contract.

    This agreement authorizes Kate Stone Education, LLC to provide counseling and consulting services for college preparation, choice, and success in partnership with the student and responsible party (“Clients”). As independent educational advisors, we aim to empower students by identifying opportunities, then developing a realistic path toward their desired goals. Our services shall in no way replace the role and the work of your school counselor. We strongly encourage you to use our services as a supplement and not as an alternative to your school counselor in the college admissions and advising process.