Sessions Are Student-Only — By Design
This is a deliberate pedagogical choice, not an administrative convenience.
Why No Parents in Sessions
1. Independence Is a Medical School Requirement
Medical schools don't just evaluate what a student knows. They evaluate whether the student can think, communicate, and advocate on their own. A student who has always had a parent in the room hasn't developed that muscle.2. Students Speak Differently Without Parents Present
When parents are listening, students tend to say what they think their parents want to hear. When it's just them and their mentor, they're more honest about what they're struggling with, what excites them, and what they're actually interested in. Those honest conversations are where the best mentoring happens.3. The Mentor Needs to See the Real Student
For the qualitative assessment and potential letter of recommendation, the mentor needs to observe the student in an authentic setting. A student performing for their parents is not the same as a student thinking through a problem independently.How Parents Stay Informed
Parents are never in the dark. They receive:
- Monthly progress report: What was covered, what the student achieved, what's coming next
- Project milestones: Notification when key deliverables are completed
- End-of-engagement assessment: A summary of the student's growth, strengths, and recommended next steps
- Direct access: Parents can email the program coordinator anytime with questions
The Exception
For the very first session, parents may briefly join the introduction (first 5 minutes) to meet the mentor and understand the structure. After that, it's student and mentor only.