At Equedu, we believe that a digital ecosystem built on clarity, accountability, and mutual respect is essential for academic and professional advancement. Our "Institutional Integrity" philosophy ensures that while we provide you with cutting-edge tools to navigate your future, the rules of our engagement are governed by the highest standards of legal transparency and technical excellence.

 
1. Acceptance & Contractual Hierarchy

1.1. Binding Agreement
These Terms of Use ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement made between you, whether personally or on behalf of an entity ("you" or "User"), and Equedu LLC ("we," "us," or "our"), a Delaware Limited Liability Company with its primary business presence at 1178 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10001. 

1.2. Affirmative Consent
By accessing our Site, creating an account, or utilizing our In-Situ Engine, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms. 

1.3. Master Integration
These Terms are incorporated by reference into any separate Client Service Agreement (CSA). In the event of a conflict regarding paid professional services, the CSA shall control; however, the Intellectual Property protections in Section 2 shall remain in full effect.


2. The Digital Moat: IP & In-Situ Architecture

2.1. In-Situ Definition & Ownership
All algorithms, predictive models, and methodologies provided on the Site (collectively, the "In-Situ Engine") are the exclusive proprietary property of Equedu. The In-Situ Engine is designed for Edge Processing, meaning analytics are performed within the User’s or Institution’s own digital environment. Equedu does not ingest, host, or store raw institutional data on Equedu-managed servers. 

2.2. AI Training Prohibition
You are strictly prohibited from using any Content, data outputs, or algorithmic logic from the Site to train, test, validate, or fine-tune any artificial intelligence system, machine learning model, or Large Language Model (LLM). 

2.3. Anti-Scraping & Reverse Engineering
You shall not use any automated means (robots, scrapers, etc.) to access the Site or attempt to derive the source code of the In-Situ Engine. 
 
2.4. Liquidated Damages
The parties agree that the harm caused by a breach of Sections 2.2 or 2.3 is catastrophic yet difficult to quantify. Therefore, any such breach shall subject the User to liquidated damages (not as a penalty, but as a reasonable pre-estimate of loss of trade secret value) calculated as: D=max(10,000×days of unauthorized access,records scraped×$0.50).

2.5. Universal Feedback Assignment
Any suggestions or improvements provided to Equedu (collectively, "Feedback") shall be the sole property of Equedu LLC. You hereby irrevocably assign all rights, title, and interest in such Feedback to Equedu without compensation or attribution.

2.6. System Integrity & Security
You may not attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the Site, or any other systems or networks connected to Equedu, by hacking, password "mining," or any other illegitimate means. You may not probe, scan, or test the vulnerability of the Site, nor breach the security or authentication measures herein. You agree not to use any device or software to interfere or attempt to interfere with the proper working of the Site or any transaction being conducted on the Site.


3. Data Usage & Research Rights

3.1. De-Identified Research
User grants Equedu a perpetual, royalty-free license to use de-identified, aggregated data derived from the use of the In-Situ Engine for academic research, white papers, and refining our predictive methodologies. 

3.2. Data Custody Disclaimer
Because the Engine operates In-Situ, Equedu is not a custodian of your records. You are solely responsible for the security and backup of the source data in your own environment.


4. Admissions & Independence Disclaimers

4.1. NO ADMISSIONS GUARANTEE
EQUEDU DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMISSION TO ANY UNIVERSITY. ADMISSIONS DECISIONS ARE INHERENTLY SUBJECTIVE AND BASED ON THE EVOLVING PRIORITIES OF INDIVIDUAL INSTITUTIONS. 

4.2. Independent Entity Status
Equedu LLC is an independent firm. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with the Common App, the College Board, the UC System, the Ivy League, or any specific university. 

4.3. Institutional Force Majeure
Equedu is not liable for inaccuracies caused by sudden shifts in university policies (e.g., "Test Optional" status) or platform architecture changes.


5. Indemnification

5.1. Your Duty to Defend
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Equedu LLC and its officers (the "Equedu Parties") from any claims, liabilities, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from: (a) your use of the Site; (b) your violation of these Terms; or (c) your infringement of any third-party rights or university conduct policies.


6. Conduct & Accessibility

6.1. Digital Civility
You agree to use our Site and social media channels respectfully. Violating our Code of Digital Civility on social media (TikTok, LinkedIn, etc.) constitutes a material breach, giving Equedu the right to terminate your access. 

6.2. Accessibility Statement
Equedu aims to conform to WCAG 2.1 AA standards. Our full Accessibility Policy is incorporated here by reference.


7. Limitation of Liability

7.1. NO WARRANTIES
THE SITE AND ITS CONTENT ARE DELIVERED ON AN "AS-IS" AND "AS-AVAILABLE" BASIS. EQUEDU DOES NOT PROMISE THAT THE SITE OR THE IN-SITU ENGINE WILL BE ERROR-FREE, UNINTERRUPTED, OR PROVIDE SPECIFIC RESULTS. EQUEDU DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTIES OF ACCURACY, NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY, AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

7.2. Liability Cap
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, EQUEDU LLC’S TOTAL LIABILITY SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF: (A) THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO EQUEDU IN THE 12 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE CLAIM; OR (B) $100.00 USD.


8. Dispute Resolution & Miscellaneous

8.1. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware. 

8.2. Mandatory Arbitration
Any dispute shall be settled by binding individual arbitration in Wilmington, Delaware or New York, New York, at Equedu’s sole discretion. 

8.3. CLASS ACTION WAIVER
YOU WAIVE THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION, COLLECTIVE ACTION, OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING. 

8.4. Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. 

8.5. Modifications
We may update these Terms by posting the new version on the Site. Continued use constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.


9. Contact the Office of Institutional Integrity

If you have questions regarding these Terms or our professional standards, please contact our team. 
Email: contact@equedu.org 
Registered Office: Equedu LLC, 1178 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA