The mentee path is the open-application route into EDGE. 6 months of active 1:1 mentorship (April pairing reveal → late September capstone), structured EDGEucation workshops, and graduation at National Convention in October. Alumni for life.
Application is open to all AREAA members. Internal review weights candidates with demonstrated leadership signals (chapter board service, prior AREAA program participation, growth trajectory), but the application surface itself is open.
Application opens mid-January, closes mid-February. Web form via Paperform: short-form questions, video introduction, references.
Selected applicants are scheduled for video interviews in early March. ~10–15 minutes, 2–4 core questions, with a small interview team drawn from the committee.
Mentors watch interview videos and rank top mentee preferences. Pairings are mathematically determined; reveal happens early April as a live cohort event.
April through October: monthly mentor meetings, structured EDGEucation workshops, capstone preparation. Graduation and recognition at National Convention.
2–4 hours per month with your mentor (1:1 + occasional group sessions, depending on your mentor's preferred cadence).
Plus workshops — 3–5 EDGEucation workshops throughout the year (Negotiation 101, Negotiation 2.0, Public Speaking, Leadership + Succession, etc.). Most are 2–4 hours.
Plus capstone prep — meaningful time in Q3 to build your 5–7 minute presentation, 1-minute video testimonial, and 200-word leadership thesis.
By the end of the cohort year, every mentee delivers:
Via Paperform — link goes live mid-January each year.
Hard deadline — late submissions are not accepted.
~3 days of video interviews via SignupGenius. 10–15 min slots.
Live cohort event — your mentor pairing announced. Cohort year officially begins.
Monthly mentor meetings + EDGEucation workshops + capstone prep.
5–7 minute presentations + video testimonial + thesis. Voting follows.
Capstone recognition at National Convention. You become an alumni.
The application link goes live then. In the meantime, read the program details or check the FAQ.