Senior College & Career Newsletter
October 27- Nov 2, 2024
Welcome Students & Families
Scroll through for important information regarding College/Career
How to reach us?
For general questions and inquiries please email (Please do not use the link at the bottom of this Newsletter to contact us)
Ms Ignaitis: tignaitis@seq.org
All HCA, Study Skills Students and Last names A-L
and/or
Ms Yeager: tyeager@seq.org
All DAA, ELD Students and Last names M-Z
Important Dates and Deadlines
UPCOMING EVENTS/DUE DATES:
Oct 31- Sequoia Awards Scholarship Due - Live in RWC and volunteer - see scholarship section
Nov 6 - Senior Financial Aid Night (more info to come)
Nov 8- Last day to turn in SR/LOR Form for Common App Schools
Upcoming Flex Offerings
OCT 31 - Help with 4 year college applications
Nov 1 - Concurrent College Enrollment Flex - see college event section below
Deadlines to Drop Courses This Semester
Last day to drop with penalty on transcript: Nov 13th
Last day to drop an IB class in a testing year: Nov 1st
Edgenuity Lab is open!
Students completing Edgenuity credit recovery online courses for graduation and/or UC/CSU A-G requirements are required to take unit tests and cumulative tests in the Edgenuity lab in-person. The lab is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4pm-6pm in Room B-8 with Mr. Calles. The deadline for seniors is May 30, 2025.
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
HOW TO SIGN UP - NEED HELP
How To Video - Sign Up for a College Visit at Sequoia
If you get the email below with the subject Visit Reminder, that is not confirmation that you are signed up for a college visit, it is an invitation to go to Naviance and sign-up.
Scripps College
Tue Oct 29
11:15 AM
Montana State University
Tue Nov 12
11:15 AM
Concurrent College Enrollment with San Mateo County Community College Flex Workshop
Nov 1st
Students, if you are interested in taking a FREE college course with our San Mateo County Community College system, sign up for FLEX on Nov. 1st with Ms. Castaneda to learn about the process. Cañada College staff will be here to support you through the application and sign up process. This is a great opportunity to take a class you're interested in, need for A-G, or graduation like PE.
University of Washington- help with freshman application
The UW application for freshman admission is open! Students may apply using one of two applications — ApplyWeb or the Common App. However, we ask that only one application is submitted for each student. There is no preference of application platform. The applications contain the same questions and undergo the same review process.
Just as a reminder, the freshman application closes November 15, 2024. Students will be notified of their decision March 1–15, 2025.
Questions about the application process? Visit our website or join a webinar for answers.
Want to go to college in another country but with an American-style education?
American Universities Abroad is a group of private American Universities located outside of the United States. AUA Universities are US regionally accredited, non-profit, and operate on US academic credit systems.
All members participate in US Federal Financial Aid along with institutional aid. AUA members encourage international perspectives and global education. Students attending AUA institutions engage in global issues, experimental learning, travel and cross-cultural exchange with an emphasis on global citizenship.
Interested in Studying Architecture?
JEDI @ THE A-SCHOOL
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 6
6PM - 7PM (ET)
JEDI @ the A-School recognizes the many Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)-focused student contributions in the areas of student advocacy, school-wide initiatives, studio projects, and community engagement that have a positive impact on the School of Architecture, UVA, and the surrounding communities. The UVA School of Architecture encourages prospective undergraduate students of all backgrounds to attend.
EXPLORE DESIGN FUTURES
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 13
7PM - 8PM (ET)
Prospective students are invited to explore design futures, both in how we use design to shape our futures as well as how design may shape your future. Alumni will introduce students to the four disciplines in the School of Architecture (architecture, landscape architecture, architectural history, and urban + environmental planning) and share how they use their A-School education in their professional careers.
GENERAL FOUR YEAR COLLEGE INFORMATION
REMOVING a College From Colleges I’m Applying to on Naviance
Email your counselor, Ignaitis/Yeager, and teachers of the colleges you are not applying (one email to all) and complete this FORM (Only Students using their seq email can complete the form)
Process of Submitting Application and School Documents
When we submit documents for your 1st due date, we submit them to all the schools on your list and there is NO way we would know if you added or removed a school, unless you tell us.
Requesting Transcript Reminders
The only transcripts that need to be requested AT THIS TIME are for OUT OF STATE public colleges that are not on Common App 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!
UC and CSU Course Issues with CaliforniaCollege.edu
Launching your UC and CSU applications on CaliforniaColleges.edu is an efficient way to enter your coursework accurately.
It is VERY important to carefully go through each grade level and check each course and make sure they are correct against your transcript.
Because it is a new system, there are some quirks we have noticed.
If you took an IB Math Prep course, it is listed as Common Core Math.
You need to add the course from the Drop Down menu (do not write in your course)and then remove the Common Core Math course.
If you took IB Spanish SL, it is coming up Spanish IV
You need to add the course from the Drop Down menu (do not write in your course)and then remove the Spanish IV course.
PE Dance - check to make sure it is a Quarter course.
You need to change your graduation date to June 2025
All of your senior year courses, state NO COURSE for the 2nd Semester
You need to change those courses to PLANNED, if it is a yearlong course. (English, Math, History, World Languages, for example)
If you are taking American Government, it is only a semester SO leave the No Course AND you have to ADD Economics-P from Drop Down (No Course 1st Sem and PLANNED second semester)
What if a course is Missing (are you taking an Edgenuity course?)
You can add it - BUT - DO NOT write in a course or check - I do not see my course
ONLY use the Drop Down
PLEASE GET Your Courses Check - Come into the College and Career Center at lunch or flex
Why is my A-G GPA Different on my Transcript and CSUApply Account? (from CSU)
First of all - Make sure you added all of your classes.
Secondly -(from CSU)
If you’ve taken any approved honors, Advanced Placement (AP), college, or International Baccalaureate (IB) classes in the 10th, 11th or 12th grades, enter the number of honors course grades you have earned that are C or better. The maximum number of honors courses you can use is eight semesters. No more than two approved honors-level courses taken in the 10th grade may be given extra points. Do not enter any count for honors courses with a grade of D or below. Enter one for each semester of approved honors work up to a maximum count of eight.
Videos to help and Sequoia Specific Information
Watch the videos below for information about how to link California Colleges and CSU Apply so your classes will be imported to your application.
Common Issues:
Need to change graduation and end date at Sequoia to June 2025
The IB Math Applications and Analysis Prep courses are loading incorrectly as CA-Common Core Algebra II, hit the edit button next to the course and change to your course.
Additional CSU application notes:
1. If you took Algebra, Geometry, Spanish I or French I in 8th grade, don't forget to add them under 8th grade on the CSU application. For grades, you will list pass, pass.
2. If you took Spanish II/III ICAP or any class that was two years of a subject in one year, relist the course for that school year and put your grades in as pass, pass.
CSU Application is OPEN!
Most students created an account during a visit to College and Career Center in your social studies class. You need to use your seq.or email (sign on with Google not username and password). Use this worksheet to prepare to apply. Below is a checklist from CSU
Impacted Majors or Programs
One of the first steps of your CSU application asks you to choose a major or program. Use the Impacted Majors list to figure out which majors are impacted and use the Supplemental Factors by Campus list to see what additional criteria is used to admit those majors.
Good news, 18 out of the 23 CSU Campuses accept students who meet the minimum requirements in most of their programs.
CSU Preview Days
Go here to check out the CSU campuses offering preview days in the next month.
UC Admissions Sessions and Fairs
Campuses may offer a range of opportunities, including college fairs, appointments, admissions sessions, tours and videos on admission, housing and/or financial aid and scholarships. Some will be hosted in person, while others will be offered virtually. Programming for counselors, students and families will be available.
UC Berkeley: programming throughout October
UC Davis: Open House events throughout October; programming for counselors, families and students offered throughout the fall quarter
UC Merced: Programming available throughout October and November
UC San Diego: Programming available throughout October and November
UC Santa Barbara: Programming throughout October and November
UC Santa Cruz: Programming throughout October and November
Listing Community College Courses on UC Applications?
Question: If a student takes courses at a community college and does not transfer the credits earned to her high school transcript, are those courses and grades included in the GPA calculation? The student is wondering if she should put the college courses she took on her high school transcript to boost her GPA.
Response: UC does not require college courses to be posted to the high school transcript. If a student completes college courses, they must report them as college courses on the UC application in the College portion of the Academic History section. Only UC-transferable college courses worth a minimum of 3 semester or 4 quarter units (each) and which clearly fall within the A-G subject areas should be reported. College courses completed in 10th and 11th grades, including the summers following 9th, 10th and 11th grades, will be included in the GPA calculation, regardless of whether they are included on the high school transcript. Note: even if the high school posts college courses to their own transcript, students who are offered admission to UC will be required to submit official college transcripts for all college coursework attempted. College courses outside A-G areas can be reported in the Activities and Awards section under “additional coursework.”
Updates from UCSB
UC Application Support - UCSB is here to help! Encourage your senior students seeking UC application support to register for our UC application virtual workshops that focus on providing guidance on the Personal Insight Questions and Activities & Awards sections of the UC application.
College of Engineering Overview - Do you have students wondering about our admission selection into engineering or computer science? Encourage them to join our virtual presentations on October 22 at 6pm PT, or November 19 at 4pm PT.
View all Virtual Freshman Events
If you have students applying to music or dance, they are required to register for an audition in January/February. Also, any applicant to a major in the College of Creative Studies (CCS) will need to submit their UC application and a CCS supplemental application. The CCS supplement deadline is January 6, 2025.
Researching majors at the UCs-
Know that within a field of study, like psychology, there are three different ways to study it (at UC Irvine)
Complete your UC application using CaliforniaColleges.edu
Here is a tutorial for launching the UC App via CaliforniaColleges.edu
Things to note for Sequoia specifically:
Update your graduation date and end date for Sequoia to June 2025, it defaults to Dec 2024.
9th grade history/social science will only have one semester of Ethnic Studies when you import your grades, that is correct.
Use your transcript to check that all of your A-G Courses are listed correctly by selecting the edit function for each grade level to confirm.
12th grade courses will import as IP (in-progress) for first semester but you need to switch second semester to PL (planned).
American Government should be IP first semester and NO for second semester.
Add Economics-P as NO first semester and PL for second semester.
This page has great resources for many of the platform's functions: https://cacollegeguidance.org/resourcehub/tutorials/ -Students would reference the partner account tutorials
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 2024
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 the document below 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 2024
SSID # (State ID)
When the UC Application asks for SSID# they are asking for your State ID from the top left of your transcript
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.
Help on the UC Website
From UC: The UC application for fall 2025 opened. UC encourages students to spend ample time on their application, developing each section to reflect the accomplishments, challenges, opportunities and talents of each student within their own family, school and community context.
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)
Click HERE for the How to Apply webpage on the UC website
Nov 1st Early Deadline: Worried About School Documents Being Sent On-Time? Process of Submitting Application and School Documents
Student Side of the Process
You submit your documents INDEPENDENTLY of your counselor and teachers– when you are ready to submit an application you do not have to wait for the school!
IF we send documents and you decide not to submit an application, it is okay, they discard if not matched.
Counselor and Teachers Side of the Process
When counselors and teachers submit their documents for your 1st due date, they submit them to all the schools on your list.
There is NO way we would know if you added a school, unless you complete another SR/LOR Form. Email your counselor to see how you can complete an additional form.
Do Not Worry About Teachers Completing LORs on Time.
Where it might be to your advantage to submit earlier than the due date, it is not necessary for our staff to complete their letters of recommendation earlier than the due date listed on Naviance. We take the completion of these documents very seriously!
Wondering, was your counselor’s documents (school report, LOR, transcript, and school profile) and/or teacher LOR submitted? (Two Ways to Check)
1. From Common Application Website:
You can check the status of your recommenders on each of your colleges' "Recommenders and FERPA" page under the "My Colleges" tab.
"Not Started" - the recommender has not yet begun your recommendation.
"Submitted" - your recommender has fully submitted your recommendation, and there is no further action required on their part.
Contact your teachers and/or counselor directly if still concerned.
Remember transcripts are included with the counselor report!
2. Naviance should have a green check when documents have been submitted
Go to Colleges I’m Applying to
Application Milestones
If close to the deadline, after checking that they are not submitted, a gentle reminder email is appropriate (but understand a lot of teachers submit on the deadline)
Regular Decision Students - Apply to a College That Requires a LOR - SR/LOR FORM DUE Nov 8th
Regular Decision Students
Nov 8th is the deadline to meet with your counselor to sign-off on your completed SR/LOR Form - If you want a letter submitted by your counselor with your School Report and a teacher to write a LOR for a Dec 15th or later deadline.
Before you make the appointment with your counselor:
Complete all the activities on the form.
Register for a required meeting with your counselor to submit your completed SR/LOR Form.
Complete and submit your application independently.
(IF you need a Letter of Recommendation for a Common App or Private College and DO NOT know how to access the form, contact your counselor immediately!)
Courses and Grades
As you complete your application, you will see as you add colleges that some require you to input your grades and some do not. See below for image of what it looks like in the application. After you submit, some colleges also require you to submit Self-Reported Grades in their portals. Come to flex sessions if you need help completing these steps. See the Common App How To Videos for more help.
Sequoia School Information for Common Application
For the Education – Grades Section of the Common Application
Class Rank Reporting – Do not rank
Graduating Class Size – 464
GPA Scale – 4
GPA Weighting – Weighted
Guidance FAX – (650) 306-8893
Graduation Date – June 6, 2025
Your Official GPA- Overall weighted GPA - first one listed on your transcript
If You Want a School Report and/or LOR Sent By Sequoia, There is a Required SR/LOR Form to Complete!
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT SR/LOR FORM TO COUNSELOR
Nov 8th - for application deadlines AFTER Dec 15th
There is a required process and form, as well as deadlines. All students needing a SR/LOR for early action/decision must complete the process, form, and meet with their counselor by Sept. 20th. Students applying for regular decision admissions must complete the process no later than Nov. 8th. Please note that the workshops are for students only and that the UC/CSU/California Community Colleges do not accept SR/LORs as part of their applications.
SEE COUNSELOR ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO GET THE REQUIRED FORM
Community College Help and Information
We will focus on the community college application process the second semester of school.
SAVE THE DATE: Community College Info Night and Fair will be February 6, 2025
How to Apply to Community College
The steps to enroll are different for each site. Go to the websites below for more information.
Canada College: https://canadacollege.edu/admissions/new-student.php
Skyline College: https://skylinecollege.edu/outreach/pep.php
De Anza: https://www.deanza.edu/apply-and-register/index.html (not available for Fall 2025 until the spring)
Foothill: https://foothill.edu/reg/admission/highschool.html (not available for Fall 2025 until the spring)
Signing up for testing
As you are considering different schools to apply to, make sure to check out their testing policies. If you need or want to take a test, it is your responsibility to sign-up and register for the tests.
Use these links below to sign-up for the SAT or ACT:
Monthly SHS Scholarships & Student Opportunities Lists
November lists are now NOW AVAILABLE.
Click HERE to go directly to the Sequoia High School website for the most updated scholarship and student opportunities lists. How to Access Scholarships on Naviance (9-12th Grades)
If you find a scholarship you are interested in and want the link to the website or more information be sure to log in to your Naviance account, under the College tab, click on Scholarships and Money, then Scholarship list, and put the name of the scholarship in the search box, then click on the name of the scholarship.
Big Futures Scholarship, College Board
Due: 10/28/2024
Earn entries in monthly drawings for $500 and $40,000 scholarships by completing steps to plan for college. The sooner you start and the more steps you complete, the more chances you’ll have to win
NCWIT - Aspirations in Computing Award
Due: 10/29/2024
Eligible Grades: 9-12th
9th-12th grade women, genderqueer, or non-binary students for their computing-related achievements and interests, and encourages them to pursue their passions. Regional winners can move to higher levels.
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.
Hispanic Heritage Foundation Youth Awards
Due Nov 3
Honors Latinx high school seniors who excel in the classroom and community and for their excellence in various categories including: Community Service, Education, Engineering, Entrepreneurship & Business, Green Sustainability, Healthcare & Science, Media & Entertainment, Public Service & Social Justice and Technology. unweighted 3.0 GPA Hispanic Background
Regeneron Science Talent Search
Due: 11/7/2024
Student submits an independent science research project
Good Tidings Community Service - Local Bay Area Award with the Warriors
Due: 11/8/2024
Based on community service and financial need.
Redwood City Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship
DUE: 11/12/2024
Senior who is a US Citizen going to a four year college seeking a degree. Redwood City Elks Lodge will send their best six students to the Bay District competition with the opportunity to go to the state and grand lodge finals (up to $50,000). In addition, Redwood City Lodge will award 10 students with $1,500 scholarship.
Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship Program
Due: Nov 14th
For seniors with financial need (95K family income or lower) who will enroll in a 4-year college the next Fall, have a 3.75+ GPA.
Odenza Marketing Group Scholarship
Due: Nov 15th
Be between the ages of 16 and 25 on the day of the deadline.
Have a GPA of 2.5 or greater.
Be a citizen of the United States or Canada
10 Words or Less Scholarship
Due: Nov 15th
Grades Eligible: 9-12th
Open to students ages 14-25 attending school in fall of 2024
Write 10 word statement why you should receive scholarship
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.
Voice of Democracy Scholarship
Due: Oct 31st
Grades Eligible: 9-12th
Provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence. Topic 2024 "Is America Today Our Forefathers' Vision?"
Reflections Contest 2024 Theme: Accepting Imperfection
Due: Nov 10th
Grades Eligible: 9th-12th
Explore the arts and express yourself in the PTA’s Reflections Program! Enter your artwork and reflection in one of six categories: Dance, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, or Visual Arts.
First-place finishers in each category advance to the district competition. District winners move on to the state, and state winners ultimately compete at the national level. You can do this! Learn more here (including how to enter).
All entries will be recognized for their artistic achievement. Participation itself is a meaningful contribution to the Sequoia community. Entries are due by Sunday, November 10, 2024 at midnight. Questions? Email us sequoiareflections@gmail.com
The James Alan Cox Foundation for Student Photojournalists
Due: Nov 15th
Grades Eligible: 10-12th
Only submit still photographs, “tells a story”, NOT looking for “art” photography. Five (5) Digital SLR Cameras will be awarded to five (5) high school students. Must be US citizen WEBSITE
South County Teen Leadership Council with the Sheriff’s Activities League
Grades Eligible: 9-12th
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 on Wednesdays from 4-6pm in Redwood City If you are interested, email, call or text Mason Lok 650 474-1394 mlok@smcgov.org WEBSITE
ELIGIBLE GRADES: 9-12th
Rhizome, a nonprofit is offering a community service, leadership, and civic engagement opportunity through their Civic Service Fellowship. Year round opportunities! website
ELIGIBLE GRADES: 9-12th
free and open collection of material from thousands of MIT courses, covering the entire MIT curriculum. No registration. WEBSITE
Weekly activities 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
Saturday Homework and Tutor Help at the Boys & Girls Club
Camp Volunteer Opportunities at Marine Science Institute
ELIGIBLE GRADES: 9-12th
This is a great place for volunteers interested in science to help younger students learn about science.Year round opportunities! WEBSITE
City Trees Volunteer Opportunities
CityTrees loves working with volunteers from our community. The easiest way to volunteer with City Trees is to sign up for an upcoming event. Year round opportunities! WEBSITE
San Mateo County Historical Association
all year
Eligible Grades:9-12th
Volunteer for free public programs throughout the year: Lunar New Year, Happy San Mateo County Day, Fourth of July (half-price admission), Victorian Days, Día de los Muertos, and Hometown Holidays. Interested students can email carmen@historysmc.org for upcoming volunteer opportunities. WEBSITE
Friends of the Redwood City Library
Eligible Grades:9-12th
Volunteer to staff the Bookstore in the Downtown Library. This requires a 2-hour per week commitment. Volunteers chat with customers and accept payment. There are Saturday shifts plus shifts from 4 to 6 and 6 to 8 in the afternoon/evenings. WEBSITE
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.Year round opportunities!
For more information, click here
Volunteer Opportunity with Habitat for Humanity
Best Value Colleges Ranked by Return on Investment (ROI)
One way to compare various colleges is to see what happens to their graduates in terms of earning potential.
Payscale’s College ROI Report ranks colleges based on the 20-year salary earnings of college alumni minus the total investment to attend that college (factoring in financial aid) compared to the 24-year earnings of high school graduates without a bachelor’s degree. The report includes breakouts for the best colleges by ROI for individual states, school types, majors, and jobs. The best-value college ranking list is updated annually to show results for the previous year.
Go here to check out the report.
California Kids Investment & Development Savings Program "CalKIDS"
CalKIDS was launched in 2022 to help California children save for post-secondary education including college or career training . Low-income families and disadvantaged communities are encouraged to take advantage of this program.
To check for eligibility and to learn more, please visit: www.calkids.org
Cal Grant Verification
Sequoia Union High School District will submit your GPA to Cal Grant in September.
Make sure your Infinite Campus information (name and address) is correct to avoid matching problems. If something needs to be change, contact the counseling office
No Verification Form is needed AFTER submitting your FAFSA/Dream Application!
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.
How to Become an Architect
Architects need to balance competing needs, such as function vs. safety vs. cost, along with duties like design and supervision—all while communicating their needs to diverse teams. Consequently, on the path to becoming an architect, a person will explore a wide variety of academic fields.
High School
Most high schools lack programs specific to architecture; however, that doesn’t mean a student can’t start preparing themselves for a career as an architect early in their academic careers. Math classes such as geometry, algebra, calculus, and trigonometry are all recommended for aspiring architects. Similarly, science classes such as physics are beneficial for understanding concepts such as force, compression, and tension. It’s also important to explore the arts; drawing, painting, sculpting, and photography all help build the ability to visualize and conceptualize.
Similarly, some colleges may require portfolios, such as the Cornell College of Art, Architecture, and Planning. They ask for “15-20 slides with no more than two dedicated to the same project.” The portfolio should contain sketches and fully developed work, but doesn’t need to be entirely focused on architecture. The website states that “painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, video, woodworking, and other crafts can convey artistic experience and aptitude.” Spend some time building a portfolio so you can put your best food forward come application time.
College
There are two paths students can take toward a career in architecture in college. One path is to achieve a traditional undergraduate degree before going on to earn a master’s degree. In the architectural field, this is referred to as an M. Arch. The other path is to earn a B. Arch., which is a five-year program accredited by the National Architecture Accrediting Board (NAAB). Students graduating with a B. Arch. qualify to take the Architect Registration Examination (ARE)—a key step on the path to earning an architectural license.
B. Arch.: For students entering college with clear intentions of becoming an architect, a B. Arch. program is the most direct route through college, as graduates of these five-year programs qualify for licensure. The first two years of a B. Arch. program focus on the history of the discipline and basic building skills, such as fundamental design concepts and understanding of material properties. The final three years of a B. Arch. program cover topics like architectural theory, building technology, and computer-aided design and drafting.
M. Arch.: For students who don’t discover their passion for architecture until college—or who aren’t prepared to settle on an architectural career path as an undergraduate—there is the M. Arch., or master’s degree in architecture. Students come to M. Arch. programs from all backgrounds; some schools will even offer separate tracks for students entering an M. Arch. program with bachelor’s degrees in architecture, and those coming from unrelated subjects. Regardless, students in M. Arch. programs will study courses covering topics the theoretical, technological, historical, and cultural aspects of architecture. The length of time a student spends in an M. Arch. program is determined by a student’s previous architectural education.
Part-time Grader Assistants Needed San Carlos Math and Reading Center Kumon Tutoring Center
ELIGIBLE GRADES/AGE: Juniors and Seniors
$17.00 hour Looking for students with good math and reading skills who are available to work approximately 6 - 8 hours per week on Monday and Thursday afternoons. Ideal part time job for high school or college students. Pick up a flier in the College and Career Center
If interested email qualifications and resume to kumonsancarlos@gmail.com
Mathnasium of Redwood City, a Math-Only Learning Center
ELIGIBLE AGE/GRADE: 16yr+ (Must have own transportation)
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
Hummingbird Music School is looking for fun and talented high school musicians to join our team of Music Teachers!
ELIGIBLE AGE/GRADE: 15yr+
Part-time work is available teaching after-school group Piano 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
How To Videos for students now on our website!
Do you need free or reduced costs for College Applications, IB Exams, Prom Tickets and more?
Complete the 2024-2025 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.
Needs to be completed every year!
Missed the Grade Level College/IB Meeting on August 28th
If you missed the Grade Level 4YR College & IB Meeting on August 28th
The grade-level presentation in English and Spanish ( without the recording) and handouts are available on the Sequoia College and Career webpage.
Past Newsletters
GENERAL FOUR-YEAR INFORMATION:CaliforniaColleges.edu, Transcript Info CSU INFORMATION: Opens October 1st!, CSU Night Events UC INFORMATION: Launching with CaliforniaColleges.edu, Evaluation for California Residency, Application Now Open, Help on UCSB website
GENERAL FOUR-YEAR INFORMATION: What Did You Do Over the Summer? Did You Receive Any Awards Last Spring? Reflect on Who You Are as an Applicant While Updating Your Naviance Resume
GENERAL FOUR-YEAR INFORMATION: Do I Need a School Report/Letter of Recommendation (SR/LOR) Form? Depends CSU INFORMATION: Wait to Apply - Lookup Majors and Selection Process UC INFORMATION: Comprehensive Review at the UCs, COMMON APPLICATION INFORMATION: SR/LOR Form & Process Review Meeting, FA: FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and the California Dream Application, CalKIDS, Cal Grant Verification
September 15-21, 2024 GENERAL FOUR-YEAR INFORMATION: Requesting Transcript Reminders
September 22-28, 2024 GENERAL 4YR: Researching Majors UC: Launch with CaliforniaColleges FINANCIAL AID: 10 Facts About the FAFSA
Sept 29-Oct 4, 2024 GENERAL 4 YR: Does Submitting My Application Earlier Than The Due Date Give Me an Advantage? Depends on the Type of College How Most Admissions Operate (always check individual websites) CAREER: So You Want to Be a Veterinarian
Oct 6-12th General 4 YR: Keep Your Colleges I’m Applying to Up to date UC:New Campus Majors, CSU Video to Help with Application, FA : : It pays to be involved and get good grades- Check out RaiseMe, CalKIDS, Cal Grant Verification
Oct 13-19th GENERAL 4 YR: Worried about school documents being sent on-time? UC and CSU: Course issues with loading from Californiacolleges.edu
Oct 20-26, 2024: General 4 Year College- Getting Help, Common App/Private Colleges - SR/LOR Form, Financial Aid -Best Value Colleges Ranked by Return on Investment (ROI)
Sequoia High School College & Career Center