College & Career Newsletter

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

UPCOMING EVENTS/DUE DATES:

April 23, 2025 School Day SAT - SEE JUNIOR SECTION for Sign-up Information

• Study Week 12/9-12/13: Monday-Friday, 4pm-6pm
• Finals Week 12/16-12/19: Monday-Wednesday, 2pm-4pm, and Thursday, 11am-1pm (closed on Friday).
• With Mr. Calles in Room B-8.
• The deadline for seniors to complete Edgenuity (credit recovery) is May 30th, 2025. Please contact your assigned counselor if you have any questions.

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.

All events are designed to demystify the process for the entire family.

Here's a sketch of the week:

• Tuesday, Dec 10: join us for a student panel where you'll have the chance to hear directly from a few current FGLI students. You can register here.

• Thursday, Dec 12: join us for a FGLI alumni panel where you'll have the chance to hear directly from FGLI alums co-moderated by a current FGLI student. You can register here.

• Friday, Dec 13: tune in for a FGLI student takeover on our Instagram stories!

• Attendees can submit questions before the week by filling out this form.

From Harvard Summer School Blog

Since too much stress is not a good thing for your mind or body, you should think about incorporating a few stress management techniques into your daily life.

“A few techniques that might help teens manage stress are relaxation through deep breathing, meditation, or mindfulness, channeling energy into sports or creative pursuits such as music, art, theater, and forming meaningful relationships or friendships,” says Khurana. “Additionally, every culture has its own way of enabling young people to manage stress, so drawing from those traditions might be helpful as well.”

Here are few ideas of how high school students can learn how to deal with stress at school:

• Keeping a journal

• Getting plenty of exercise

• Eating healthy, regular meals

• Making sure you get enough sleep

• Meditating

• Downloading an app that provides relaxation exercises (such as deep breathing or visualization) or tips for practicing mindfulness

• Limiting excess caffeine in soft drinks or coffee

• Reaching out to friends or family members who help you cope in a positive way

• Making time to do fun things

• Learning to recognize and prepare for stressful periods by doing all of the above

Go here to learn more tips.

Sequoia is offering the School Day SAT on April 23rd

REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOL DAY SAT on APRIL 23rd::

Only current SHS 11th-graders are eligible.

Only students can complete this form and MUST use their Sequoia email.

By completing the form above, students understand the following:

• All students will pay $25 by cash or check with Ms. Gordon in the Treasurer's Office or by credit card through My School Bucks by February 5, 2025 to hold their spot. The money is non-refundable. If paying for the test is an issue, please email Ms. Yeager.

• All students will attend a FLEX or Lunch Time meeting to complete the pre-administration session.

• All students will report to Gym 1 on Wednesday April 23rd at 7:30am to begin testing at 8:00am.

Please note, all accommodations are processed by the College Board and directions for receiving accommodations are available here.

DEADLINE to complete form: Wed Jan 22, 2025

REMINDER: UC/CSU do not require SAT/ACT

How to Access Your Scores

View your score on BigFuture School. If you provided your mobile number on test day, you'll receive a text message with access to the BigFuture School mobile app.

As always, you may view your scores online by creating a College Board Account.

If you have trouble accessing your account, call Customer Service at 866-630-9305.

Once you've received your scores, learn how you can use your scores for practice, scholarship opportunities, and more in the Resources section of the BigFuture app.

SEQUOIA DOES NOT PROVIDE A SCHOOL REPORT FOR COLLEGE BOARD 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:

College Board

ACT

- English Meeting Click Here For Recording Passcode: 4@A+k4BG

Slides Slides PDF

- Spanish Meeting Recording Passcode: $Ih*1p8k

Slides Slides PDF

• Your 504 or IEP accommodations are not covered for outside testing.
• If you want accommodations for the SAT or ACT, you need to request them separately through the College Board or ACT.
• It is the responsibility of the families to research and provide all necessary documentation since these tests are not associated with Sequoia.
• While families can submit their documentation on their own, Sequoia can also complete the final submission step. For more information about this process, go to our website: The College Board Process for SAT/PSAT and The Process for ACT

December and January 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.

MERIT BASED FULL RIDE SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY -

DUE: December 11, 2024

ELIGIBLE GRADES: 11th only

The Coolidge Scholarship is an annually awarded, full-ride, presidential scholarship that covers a student’s tuition, room, board, and expenses for four years of undergraduate study. The Coolidge may be used by recipients at any accredited American college or university. Anyone of any background, pursuing any academic discipline of study, may apply to this non-partisan, need-blind, program.

Primary Criterion: Academic Excellence

Secondary Criterion: Interest in Public Policy and Appreciation for Coolidge Values

Candidates also should demonstrate an awareness of and appreciation for the values President Coolidge championed throughout his life. Some such values include: civility, respect for enterprise, government thrift, federalism, and respect for constitutional government. The award is not restricted to candidates planning to pursue degrees in fields such as public policy or government. To the contrary, all academic disciplines are valued by this award.

Secondary Criterion: Humility and Service

Humility is a hallmark quality of leaders in the Coolidge tradition. In his autobiography, Coolidge wrote: “It is a great advantage to a President, and a major source of safety to the country, for him to know that he is not a great man.” The Coolidge Scholarship seeks young people who display a sense of service and care for the well-being of others.

For complete details go to their website

DUE DATE: December 11th

ELIGIBLE GRADES: 9-12th

Students have the opportunity to submit original artworks and performances across a range of creative disciplines, including art, film, music, performance, photography, and writing. Individuals can only submit once. Group work is also allowed. Multiple awards are given to Bay Area students! WEBSITE

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

Due: 12/22/2024

Grades Eligible: 9-12th

IN THIS ONLINE PROGRAM YOUTH WILL...Unpack topics in intersectional environmentalism, Craft compelling social media content that inspires action, Express their creativity and find their design identity, Strengthen their media toolkit and digital literacy, Build a portfolio of design work., Earn volunteer hours and Meet mentors who want to see them thrive! WEBSITE

ELIGIBLE AGES: 14+

DPS Rescue is searching for new volunteers for our biweekly events in Palo Alto! We welcome volunteers of all experience levels and backgrounds, ages 14+, and offer community service credits/sign-offs if needed. Complete form on their WEBSITE.

Available All Year

Eligible Grades:9-12th

The San Mateo County Historical Association offers a number of free public programs throughout the year for Lunar New Year, Happy San Mateo County Day, Fourth of July (half-price admission), Victorian Days, Día de los Muertos, and Hometown Holidays. We are always looking for volunteers to assist with craft activities and gallery monitoring for these events. Interested students can email carmen@historysmc.org for upcoming volunteer opportunities. WEBSITE

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)

What is sticker price?

So you’ve looked at a few types of schools and have seen their sticker prices (listed costs). For most students, there is still a BIG DIFFERENCE between the “sticker price” of a college and the actual amount they will end up paying.

• The difference between sticker price and what you pay is the financial aid you receive. Financial aid—in short—is money that helps you pay for college.

• Financial aid awarded to you is affected by two main factors:

• Need: you and your family’s financial need

• Merit: your academic performance and extracurricular activities

STICKER PRICE (LISTED COST) = Tuition & Fees + Food & Housing + Books + Miscellaneous Personal Expenses + Transportation

FINANCIAL AID = Grants + Scholarships + Loans + Work-Study

The difference between sticker price and what a student may pay can be big or small. For example, the listed

“sticker price” for the University of Notre Dame is $82,925

But look at what the average family cost is on the chart below

It is run by O'Net (Dept of Labor).

WEBSITE

Goetz Bros. Sporting Goods is looking to hire part-time sales associates. Students usually work 6-10 hours a week, after school and on Saturdays. Sports experience is nice but not a must and no work experience is required. Tasks will include customer service, inventory management and assistance with custom decoration. For more information or to apply contact Brent Goetz, brent@goetzsports.com or 650-366-4082

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

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

CaliforniaColleges.edu provides free college and career planning tools for California public school students and educators, including an academic planner where students can track their A-G completion status and admission eligibility for UC and CSU. CaliforniaColleges.edu also allows students to easily launch and track their applications to UC campuses and for financial aid. Keeping all this information in one place makes the college application process easier and smoother, not only for students, but for their school districts and the campuses to which they are applying.

If you didn’t register for an account last year- see the slide below to register

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!

August 18-24, 2024

August 25-31, 2024 ANNOUNCEMENTS/UPCOMING: Grade Level 4YR College/IB Meeting, CSF Applications Open, College Day for Freshmen, COLLEGE TIP: Visiting Colleges is a Great Way to Figure Out What Type of College Is Best for You!

September 1-7, 2024

ANNOUNCEMENTS/UPCOMING: Grade Level 4YR College/IB Meeting, PSAT for Juniors

COLLEGE TIP: 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

September 15-21, 2024 COLLEGE TIP: Best Practices to Help Students Build A Balanced College List

September 22-28, 2024 COLLEGE TIP:What is a Research University and what are the benefits of attending a research university?JUNIOR: PSAT and Spring SAT Info

Sept 29- Oct 4, 2024 COLLEGE TIP: Demonstrated Interest: What and Why Important, Good and Bad Ways to Show Articles

Oct 6-12th COLLEGE TIP: CaliforniaColleges.edu, UC Admit Data For California Residents for Fall 2024 JUNIORS: Sequoia Junior Standardized Testing Timeline, PSAT Info, PSAT Information - Students Must Use a SHS Issued Chromebook to Take the Exam on Oct 23rd, Test Prep FA : : It pays to be involved and get good grades- Check out RaiseMe

Oct 13-19, 2024 COLLEGE TIP: 90% Admit Rate to Medical School or 94% Sound Good? An Important Advantage of a Small Liberal Arts College CAREER: Exploring Medicine: High School Students Resources

Oct 20-26: COLLEGE TIP: Want to go to college in another country but with an American-style education? Financial Aid: Best Value Colleges Ranked by Return on Investment, CalKids

Oct 27-Nov 2, 2024 COLLEGE TIP: More UC Data - Plan Ahead to Be a Competitive Applicant and Comprehensive Review Explained, CAREER: How to Become an Architect, STANDARDIZED TESTING: How to Get Accommodations, COUNSELOR INFO: Drop Deadlines

Nov 3-9 Click Here COLLEGE TIP: Why take a Concurrent Enrollment Class? FA: 10 FAFSA® Facts

Every College-Bound Student Should Know

Nov 10-16, 2024 COLLEGE TIP: Want to Play a Varsity Sport in College - Learn What it Takes By Creating a NCAA Account There are Two Types for Domestic Students

FINANCIAL AID: California Kids Investment & Development Savings Program "CalKIDS" CAREER: Jobs for Youth(JFY) - Local Resource for Jobs/Internships/Career Information PLUS Information About Upcoming Workshop at Sequoia!

Nov 17-23, 2024 COLLEGE TIP- Should I Take the SAT/ACT? - If you are thinking about applying to the college, look and start planning FINANCIAL AID - How Do People Pay for College? JUNIORS- Sequoia School Day SAT Info, PSAT Scores Info

Nov 24th-30th COLLEGE TIP: New UC Data Dashboard on Admissions for Each Academic Discipline - From UC Bulletin CAREER: Thrive Health Careers

Dec 1-8, 2024 COLLEGE TIP:Your Transcript is Central to Your Application - Get Organized for the End of the Semester CAREER:My Next Move - Career Exploration Resource