
Senior College & Career Newsletter
Week of September 24-30, 2023
Welcome Students & Families
Scroll through for important information regarding College/Career
How to reach us?
For general questions and inquiries please email
Ms Ignaitis: tignaitis@seq.org
and/or
Ms Yeager: tyeager@seq.org
Please do not use the link at the bottom of this Newsletter to contact us
College and Career Center will be closed all WEDNESDAY! Ignaitis/Yeager are attending a conference.
Important Dates and Deadlines
UPCOMING EVENTS/DUE DATES:
Nov 3 - SR/LOR Form Due for Students Applying to Common App School Due AFTER Dec 15
Need Help Applying to College? College Club on Tuesdays!
Tuesdays 4-5 PM
If you need help applying to college, please come to College Club every Tuesday from 4-5.
If you have a sport or job after-school, please come see us in the College and Career Center to make other arrangements.
Our goal is to get something done every week and we hope to see you there!
If you have questions, please come to College and Career Center
Missed the Grade Level College/IB Meeting on August 29th
If you missed the Grade Level 4YR College & IB Meeting on August 30th
The grade-level presentation in English and Spanish ( without the recording) and handouts are available on the Sequoia College and Career webpage.
Complete the 2023-2024 Meal Application
We want all families to complete this confidential meal application so that qualifying students can receive reduced cost bus passes, internet, prom tickets, grad night tickets, college application fees and IB testing registration. To complete the meal application, click here.
From The Counseling Office
1) IB Course Drops are permitted starting August 23rd. Please contact or visit your assigned counselor to review the required form and process.
2) Edgenuity credit recovery lab will reopen on August 22nd at 4pm with Mr. Calles in Room B-8. The Edgenuity lab will be open weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4pm-6pm in Room B-8. Please contact your assigned counselor if you are not sure if you need to complete Edgenuity credit recovery.
College Visit Sign-Ups Reminder
You are not officially registered for a college visit at Sequoia unless you follow the steps below. Putting a school on your “Colleges I’m Applying To” or “Colleges I’m Thinking About” list does not automatically register you for an upcoming college visit. Also, a college may email you saying they are looking forward to seeing you at Sequoia when they visit but that is not an official registration.
College Visits and Beyond and How to Sign Up for a College Visit at Sequoia Signing Up for a College Visit at Sequoia High – READ CAREFULLY
Below are the steps you must follow to attend the visiting college meetings at Sequoia High School:
STEP 1: In your Naviance account, go to the “Colleges” tab on the top bar, click on “College Visits”, to get the complete list OR under “What’s New” on your homepage, select a college you want to visit and click on “Register Now" and it will change to "Registered".
STEP 2: Ask your teacher, of the class you will be missing, for permission to leave their class during the time listed on Naviance. IF OK, go to Step 3.
*STEP 3: PRINT YOUR CONFIRMATION PAGE from your Naviance account and have your teacher SIGN THE Confirmation Page as a pass BEFORE YOU LEAVE CLASS. If you do not have a signed pass, you will not be admitted. (or Reg Proof on Phone)
*You can also show it to your teacher on your phone and have the teacher sign a piece of scratch paper if that’s easier.
SEQUOIA HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE VISITS
Pomona College
Mon Sept 25 8:00 AM
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Mon Sept 25 8:30 AM
Saint Mary's College of California
Mon Sept 25 9:30 AM
Franklin and Marshall College
Tue Sept 26 8:00 AM
University of Connecticut
Tue Sept 26 8:30 AM
Whitman College
Tue Sept 26 9:30 AM
Clarkson University
Tue Sept 26 11:30 AM
Tufts University
Tue Sept 26 2:00 PM
Landmark College
Thu Sept 28 9:30 AM
Beloit College
Mon Oct 2 10:30 AM
Occidental College
Wed Oct 4 10:00 AM
Vanderbilt University
Thu Oct 5 8:30 AM
Hampshire College
Thu Oct 5 2:00 PM
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Fri Oct 6 10:30 AM
Haverford College
Tue Oct 10 8:00 AM
DePaul University
Tue Oct 10 9:30 AM
Elon University
Tue Oct 10 10:30 AM
Dickinson College
Fri Oct 13 7:30 AM
Oberlin College
Fri Oct 13 8:00 AM
OTHER COLLEGE EVENTS
Cornell University, Emory University, Pomona College, Rice University and Washington University in St. Louis Information Session
Wednesday, September 27 at 8 p.m. ET (focused on domestic audiences)
You’re invited to hear about our distinctive learning opportunities and dynamic communities. Each of our schools is unique, but we are united in our commitment to support counselors, students and families as they navigate the college admission process. We look forward to seeing you! REGISTER NOW
Saint Louis University Financial Aid Presentation
Sept 29
Join Student Financial Services from Saint Louis University as we discuss the Financial Aid process and answer your questions regarding paying for a college education.
To register and get more information go to their websiteHarvard, Princeton, the University of Virginia, Wellesley, and Yale would like to spend some time with you.
Oct 1st and Oct 15th
You know our names, but find out more at our evening programs. Don't miss your opportunity to hear admissions officers from all five schools discuss the variety of opportunities one can find at our institutions. Learn about scholarships and our generous need-based financial aid offerings.
We are committed to making education at our schools affordable, accessible, and unforgettable. Please RSVP HEREUniversity of Notre Dame in the Area
Oct 4 in San Jose
Oct 5 in Concord
These events will include information on academic, community, and spiritual life at the University of Notre Dame, as well as insights into the admissions and financial aid processes. This is a great opportunity for you, your students and their families to learn more about Notre Dame.
Registration for the ND on the Road events is available here:
Coalition: Promote Our Panel Discussions
Use these links and language found on each registration page to share our panel discussions:
Drexel University Application Workshop Series
Drexel is offering a monthly series of online events designed to help guide students, families, and counselors through important steps of the college application process. Starting August 31st.
Crafting Your Portfolio for College Success - Oct 20
Exploring Your Academic Interests - Nov 17
GENERAL FOUR YEAR COLLEGE INFORMATION
Requesting Transcript Reminders
The only transcripts that need to be requested AT THIS TIME are for OUT OF STATE public colleges and some Non Common App private colleges that do not require a school report or LOR
If you need a transcript sent AT THIS TIME, request on Naviance - Colleges I’m Applying To
*There is a five school day turn around for the Guidance Department to send transcripts.
You DO NOT REQUEST TRANSCRIPTS FOR:
1. UC/CSU - Not required with your application
2. ANY College Listed on your School Report/LOR Form- They will be sent automatically by your counselor with your school report
Always Check School’s Website - Example University of Washington
The Guidance Department is CANCELING all requests for Common App, UC and CSU at this time!
Specific Four Year College Information By Type
CSU INFORMATION
CSU Information Nights
The CSU is proud to host five College Nights at different locations across California this fall. These events are free and open to any high school, community college or returning students. Parents, family members and educators are encouraged to attend. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from all 23 CSU campuses and learn about how to best prepare for CSU admission.
To register visit www.calstate.edu/collegenights.
Tuesday, September 26
Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport
Burlingame, CA
CSU What to Do Until Application Opens Oct 1st
One of the first questions on the application is-what the major are you applying for?
Majors/Degrees
All of the CSU are not the same and sometimes they have different names for the same subject area. Figure out HERE what degree you are applying for each school on the CSUapply website.
UC INFORMATION
Does Major Matter? - For Selective Majors YES
Each UC is Different Comprehensive Review at the UCs (From the UC Freshmen Selection Document)
THIS IS IMPORTANT RESEARCH - What you check can depend if you are admitted.
From UC Conference 2023
What are Selective Majors?
- Can’t take all applications
- Have to go beyond minimum requirements
- General interest in subject area - Both in and out of the classroom
Look at EACH college you are applying to
They all use different terms for Selective Majors
- Selective - Merced, Irvine, Davis, Riverside, UCLA, UCSB
- Screening - UCSC
- High Demand - Berkeley
- Capped - UCSD
Review this document to check out what universities admit by major, factors considered in comprehensive review, freshman admissions profiles and specific policies for each campus.
Quick Reference Guide to UC Admissions Selection Process 2023
The UC Website Offers A Lot of Help
The UC application provides built-in help and support throughout each section of the application. Applicants can view answers to their commonly asked questions on each page of the application by clicking ‘Help’ on the top navigation bar or by clicking on the blue ‘i’ icons seen throughout the application. Students needing further assistance can contact the UC Application Center via phone or email. The center is available Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (Pacific Time).
(800) 207-1710 (within the U.S.)
(925) 298-6856 (outside the U.S.)
ucinfo@applyucsupport.net (email)
DON"T MAKE THIS MISTAKE!
Evaluation for California Residency
The UC Application will ask multiple questions about whether you attended and will graduate from a California high school. Additionally, you will be asked “Do you want to be evaluated for California residency for tuition purposes?” ANSWER YES TO THIS QUESTION IF YOU DON’T WANT TO PAY OUT OF STATE TUITION.
SSID # (State ID)
When the UC Application asks for SSID# they are asking for your State ID from the top left of your transcript.
COMMON APPLICATION INFORMATION
Sequoia School Information for Common Application
For the Education – Grades Section of the Common Application
Class Rank Reporting – Do not rank
Graduating Class Size – 509
GPA Scale – 4
GPA Weighting – Weighted
Guidance FAX – (650) 306-8893
Graduation Date – June 9 , 2024
Your Official GPA- Overall weighted GPA - first one listed on your transcript
Complete Your Common Application Correctly - Ways to Get Help
Take your time and submit the best application possible
College & Career Common Errors on the Common Application Workshops
We are hosting multiple opportunities before, during and after school to go over the Common Application. Click here view the Workshop Schedule and Sign Up page.
New: Instructional application videos (From Updates from Common Application)
Just in time for back to school, we’re excited to launch our instructional applications videos for the 2022-2023 year, featuring members of the Common App team! Topics include a full application overview of first-year and transfer, how to approach each essay prompt, and the most popular questions we hear about the application process.
View the Playlist Their YouTube channel for more videos throughout the application season!
COMMUNITY COLLEGE INFORMATION
Updated Scholarship List
Interested in Studying Space Science? Scholarship for Juniors and Seniors Facing Financial Hardship and/or Challenging Cultural Circumstances
Application Due: Oct 8th
Applications are open for the The American Society for Gravitational and Space Research (ASGSR) Inspiration Scholarship. The scholarship hopes to inspire students to explore space biology.
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Scholarship - Regional Level
Nomination form must be completed by Oct 13th
For high school seniors (ANY GENDER) who have the qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism. Applicants describe how they have tried to manifest these qualities, and must write an essay of an assigned topic as administered by Sequoia staff. If you are interested, please email Ms. Ignaitis. You also need two letters of recommendation.
If you want to be considered for the scholarships listed above, Complete the NOMINATION FORM located below.
Last year our nomination won the local scholarship!!
Sequoia Awards Scholarship
Deadline October 31st
Do you live in Redwood City and have you made an impact with your community service activities?
The Sequoia Awards provides scholarships to high school seniors who are outstanding community volunteers. To apply for a Sequoia Awards scholarship, you must: have performed voluntary community service; be a high school senior; and reside at a Redwood City mailing address. This includes unincorporated Redwood City, North Fair Oaks, Emerald Hills, and Redwood Shores. For application and more information visit their website here.
Deadline to submit an application and materials is October 31. Upload your transcript from Infinite Campus.
Are you applying to a college that requires a nomination from Sequoia for scholarships or programs?
Important Process Below:
When you are researching colleges to apply to, check to see if they have scholarships and programs that require nominations.
For example, Davidson College has the Belk Scholarships which provides 8 full-ride scholarships to students who are selected. Also, Washington University in St. Louis has the Danforth Scholars Program that awards partial and full-tuition scholarships based on merit and does not consider need as part of the award process. Both of these examples require being nominated in order to apply.
After you research your colleges, if you find a scholarship or program you want to be nominated for, complete this form three weeks prior to the nomination deadline to be considered.Marine Mammal Center Youth Crew
Due: Sept 29th
Ages: 15-18
Eight-month service-learning program is for high school students aged 15-18 in the San Francisco Bay Area who are interested in working with marine mammals and educating the public about important ocean conservation topics. We have our last 2 live Q&A sessions on September 10 and 16, register on our website.
Email youthcrew@tmmc.org if you have any questions.
South County Teen Leadership Council - A Great Way to Get Involved in Community Service and Leadership Opportunities
The South County Teen Leadership Council run through the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Activities League offers high school students a free program that provides mentoring, travel conferences, field trips, leadership and organizes community service projects.
Weekly meetings are from 4-6pm in Redwood City
If you are interested, email, call or text Mason Lok
650 474-1394 mlok@smcgov.org
Pick up a flier in the College and Career Center
Civil Service Fellowship
Can Apply All Year
All Grades
Rhizome, a nonprofit organization built by and for students, is offering a community service, leadership, and civic engagement opportunity through their Civic Service Fellowship. Their website includes info on how the Fellowship boosts mental health determinants, leadership skills, and community connectedness while making an impact and receiving service hours. Check it out if you’re interested in civics, service leadership, or learning how to make a genuine impact.
Project Read - Redwood City Library Volunteer Opportunities
Project Read has some upcoming training for teens who would like to volunteer on
October 10
November 7
This is a great opportunity for SHS students to be matched with a younger student to tutor once or twice a week.
If interested contact:
Email - rclread@redwoodcity.org
Phone- 650 780-7077
For more information go to their website and scroll down to the Teen Volunteer Section.
(Flier in College and Career Center)
Ronald McDonald House Charities Bay Area
Help families able to stay close to their sick children
Families with critically ill children are going through some of the hardest moments of their lives. By helping us keep our programs running smoothly, hosting in-kind drives or fundraisers, and spreading the word, you make it possible for families to keep their focus on their children
Year long opportunities to volunteer
For more information, click here for their website
Girls That Code - Online Activities
They “release activities bi-weekly— some online, some offline, of varying levels of difficulty. Each activity features a woman in tech who pioneered innovative technology.” Click here for more information
Volunteer Ronald McDonald House Charities
Volunteer Opportunity with Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is in need of volunteers, 16 years old and older, to help at our construction site in Daly City. If you are curious about Habitat and how you can get involved, we are holding informational sessions to provide a glimpse of our work. In these sessions, you can also expect to hear about the Covid-19 protocols currently in place to ensure the safety of volunteers.
Click Here for more information on how to volunteer
“Institutional Financial Aid” (FA from an individual college) and College Visits
Besides learning about what academic and social programs colleges offer during a college visit at Sequoia, you can also learn about what type of financial aid they offer. Most of the time it is in the form of Merit Aid. Merit-based means that something is based on a student's skill or ability. Often there are certain requirements (GPA, leadership, community service and sometimes test scores) that would be important to know before your senior year. Colleges can offer multiple types from $1000.00 to a full-ride. Usually private colleges have the most to give. Sometimes they can bring the cost down to be comparable to our public colleges.
When College Reps also go over financial aid during their visit, be prepared to ask about institutional aid - It can help you decide which colleges to apply to in the future!
What type of merit aid is available and what are the basic requirements?
Do you offer scholarships from a specific department?
What is the average student debt for your graduates?
Do you offer any leadership or community service scholarships?
What percent of students receive merit-based scholarships? How much is offered for the largest merit scholarship? What is the average merit-aid given?
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and the California Dream Application CHANGES THIS YEAR
There are many changes coming to the 2024-2025 FAFSA this year, namely that it will not be available in October, as it has in previous years. The most up-to-date information that we have from Federal Student Aid states that the FAFSA will open in December 2023 — however, the FAFSA Simplification Act states that it can be open no later than January 1, 2024.
California Student Aid Commission has also extended the priority deadline for the Cal Grant to April 2.
More information to come next month
YOU CAN Get Your FAFSA ID Now (Student and One Parent/Guardian)
What is an FSA ID?
It is a username and password combination that allows you to sign your FAFSA form electronically. Your FSA ID also can be used to access the myStudentAid app, sign loan contracts, and access certain information online.
Why do I need one, if I haven’t started the FAFSA Application?
Getting it ahead of time and using it to begin your FAFSA form on fafsa.gov or on the myStudentAid mobile app cuts down on errors and delays.
Does my parent(s)/Guardian(s) need to get one too?
If you’re a dependent student, one of your parents whose information is reported on the FAFSA form will also need an FSA ID so that he or she can sign your application electronically.
(It is ok if your parents/guardians do not have SSN)
Also, if you have an older sibling in college, your parent/guardian might already have one!
Where do I go to get an FSA ID?
Get started here!Public Service Careers that Will Pay for Your College Degree
Full Article From FastWeb
Did you know that many public service careers qualify for loan forgiveness programs from the Federal Government?
Public Service Careers include working for or in Emergency Management, Government, Military Service, Public Safety, Law Enforcement, Public Health, Public Education, Social Work, Public Interest Law Services, Public Service, Library Sciences, Tax-Exempt Organizations.
Public Service Jobs can include working as a Public Information Officer, working for Homeland Security, working in a forensics department, doing research on diseases, being a nurse, being a teacher assistant, working as school counselor, being a community organizer, or working for a non-profit organization.
FAFSA
Two and four-year college bound seniors, complete this Free Application for Federal Student Aid online today regardless of your family income.
Go here to learn more.
CA Dream Act
California Dream Act allows undocumented and nonresident students to receive certain types of financial aid funded through public universities, state administered financial aid, university grants, community college fee waivers, and cal grants.
Go here to learn more.
CSS Profile
The CSS Profile is an online application that collects information used by nearly 290 private colleges and some public university scholarship programs to award non-federal aid.
Go here to learn more.
Footsteps Child Care
Footsteps Child Care, located in Belmont and Redwood Shores, is a not for profit organization that has been operating for almost 30 years. Next school year we will be providing after school programming for a large group of underserved students, TK to sixth grades and need to hire around 30 additional staff members. You must be either 18 years old or a high school graduate to work for us.
Pick up a flier in the College and Career Center
Assistant and Lead Soccer Coach Positions
16 years and older
Will be here on campus Monday August 28th at lunch.
Super Soccer Stars is currently looking for Part-Time assistant and Lead Coaches in the Bay Area for their Fall season (Paid training available starting immediately).Current Openings: https://apply.workable.com/super-soccer-stars/j/52A1133161/
Hummingbird Music School is looking for fun and talented high school musicians to join our team of Music Teachers!
Minimum Age Requirement: 16yrs
Part-time work is available teaching group Piano Classes and Ukulele Classes at local elementary schools, as well as private lessons (in all instruments) in-person or online. Pay is $60/hour for group classes and $45/hour for private lessons. Please apply online at http://hummingbirdmusicschool.com/about
Pick up a flier in the College and Career Center
Kumon Tutoring Center
No Experience required, Entry level
Paid Minimum Wage
Looking for students with good math and reading skills who are available to work Tuesday and Fridays 3-7pm. If interested email at lihueiw@yahoo.com or text at 650-799-4099
Pick up a flier in the College and Career Center
Front Office Assistant (P/T)(Bilingual Spanish) Needed - Across the Street
Minimum Age Requirement: 16yrs
Timings: After School and Weekends
Contact: Walk-in Siva Cherukuri DDS 198 Arch St Redwood City (Across the street from Sequoia HS) or email: sivasch@hotmail.com
Mathnasium of Redwood City, a Math-Only Learning Center
Looking for high school students with exceptional math skills through Algebra I and Geometry to join our team! We offer competitively paid part-time jobs at Sequoia Station with flexible scheduling and ongoing training opportunities. Join us for the opportunity to make a REAL difference in a child’s life by passing on a love for math!
Our starting salaries are $17.00-$19.00 depending on what level of math the instructors can teach.
If interested, please apply online
Pick up a flier in the College and Career Center
How To Videos for students now on our website!
Past Newsletters
Aug 27-Sept 2, 2023 CSF, How and Why to Sign Up for a College Visit