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Senior Newsletter

Updated 10/03/2024

Senior NewsletterUpdated 10/03/2024

10/4/24: College List Form Due for Early Action/Decision Applicants

Seniors with early application deadlines (Early Action, Early Decision, or Restrictive Early Action) need to turn in a stamped copy of your My Final College List form to your school counselor by Friday, October 4, 2024 to ensure that your recommendation(s) and transcripts are sent to the college on time. Attach the latest draft of your Common App essay or a PIQ response to the form.


See your College & Career Advisor for the form and have it stamped by the advisor before you deliver the form to your School Counselor.


Seniors applying to 2 and 4-year colleges under Regular Decision: you can submit the form by Friday, November 8, 2024.

Not Taking the SAT? We Have Workshops!

Seniors who expressed an interest in specific workshops (CSU; college app writing; community college; financial aid; Common App/UC/Naviance; or Senior Thesis support) or a field trip will receive their College Day schedules via email.

Fall 2025 CSU Application Is Open

1 Application, 23 Campuses

Before you submit your Fall 2025 application, have your counselor or college advisor proofread your application. Changes cannot be made to your Academic History after you submit the application; however, you do need to contact each campus if you add/drop a class next semester.

CaliforniaColleges.edu Hellps You Complete Your App

Launch your CSU, UC, or community college application from your CaliforniaColleges.edu account to have your academic data transferred to the college. You'll be asked if you'd like to use CaliforniaColleges.edu to transfer your courses and grades into your CSU application. You still need to proofread the application, adding senior year courses and community college courses that satisfy A-G requirements. (The transfer can take between 12-24 hours.)

More Tips

7/8th Grade Coursework: A full year of Algebra I, Geometry, or Language Other Than English taken in 7th and/or 8th grade can be included in your aplication. Ask us if you need help finding these grades.


SDSU: How many applicants were selected for each major in Fall 2024?

SJSU: Multiply your A-G GPA by 800 and see what index score was needed for a specific major last year.

Sonoma State Early Admissions: Submit your Fall 2025 application to Sonoma State and register for the SSU Preview Day by 10/9/24 to receive your admissions decision on 10/19/24! (CA high school A-G coursework only)

Cal State Apply - First-year Application Workshop

Important Dates

10/1: UC Fall 2025 application submission period opens. Have your counselor or college advisor proofread your application before you submit it.

10/4: Deadline to deliver My Final College List form to your school counselor [EA/ED/REA applicants]

10/9: College Day - If you did not sign up for the SAT, you'll have the option to attend a community college field trip or workshops between 9-12:30 PM.

First Semester Timeline

Begin Your College Application

Common Application

Use your personal email address to create your Common App account. Start entering your personal information & WHS details. Check the College Information tab to review deadlines and requirements.


Here's a sample Courses & Grades section that shows you how to enter WHS classes.


Direct Admissions: Based on the data you've entered on your Common App (e.g., GPA), you can receive offers of admission.

Getting Started

San Mateo CC: Fall 2025 Application Has Opened

Increase Academic Rigor During Senior Year

Community College Concurrent Enrollment

SMCCD Spring Semester 2025 Class Schedule Has Been Released


You can add a community college class to your Spring 2025 schedule and list as "Planned" on your college applications. Learn more about concurrent enrollment here.


Note: Required textbooks and materials are the student's responsibility.

Research Colleges

Naviance SuperMatch

Use your Naviance account to find colleges that offer your major and satisfy the other criteria (Cost, Location, Size, & Social Scene).

University of Callifornia (UC)

Research the 9 UC campuses that offer outstanding undergraduate programs. You can begin the application now.

California State University (CSU)

23 campuses with a wide variety of options! Use this page to find a CSU campus that offers your major(s) and view opportunities for concentrations within the major. The application opens on 10/1.

Do I Need a Recommendation Letter?

Always check the application website for current requirements.

CSU: No, recommendations aren't required for admission to most programs. Check the campus & department's website (e.g., CSU Fullerton Nursing) for current information. CSU EOP applicants will need two recommendations (one must be from a teacher).


Private/out-of state colleges: Most colleges require a letter from one core teacher (English, math, history, science, world language); just a few schools [less than 30] require 2 teacher letters. The school counselors will write a letter of rec for each student applying with Common App. The LOR survey on Naviance gives students power and control. Counselors and teachers use it to make sure the admissions officers know the students strengths, interests, and achievements.


UC: No, recommendations aren't required for admission to most programs. Recommendations are required for special programs (e.g., UCSB College of Creative Arts). UC Berkeley may offer some applicants an optional opportunity to submit a recommendation letter in December. Some UC campuses will accept recommendation letters as part of an admissions appeal in the spring.


Scholarships: Some applications require 1-2 letters. Certain applications accept a letter from a volunteer supervisor, manager, or coach.


If you need a letter from a WHS teacher, complete the LOR Survey 2025 B. After logging into your seq.org account, log into your Naviance account. Go to About Me > Surveys > Surveys from Your School; then select LOR Survey 2025 B. Strongly recommended: draft your responses on a Google Doc and paste them into the survey boxes when you are ready. After the WHS teacher agrees to your request (made in person) and reviews your survey, the letter will be uploaded to Naviance.


If you need a letter from someone who doesn't work at WHS, you will need to invite them through your college/scholarship application. On Common App, you'll enter the person's email address as an Other Recommender in the Recommenders and FERPA section.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid Applications & Workshops: 1/15/25 & 2/5/25

The 2025-2026 CADAA and FAFSA are expected to open in December.


Students eligible to use the FAFSA can create their FSA ID with their personal email address now. Parents can create their own FSA ID even if they do not have a Social Security Number.


CSS Profile: Some private schools use this application. Check the college's financial aid page for the most current information. The 2025-2026 application will be available on 10/01/25.

Scholarship: Redwood City Seniors w/Volunteer Hours

Due 10/31/24

Redwood City residents who have performed extensive & voluntary community service are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Essay, recommendation letter, & transcript are required. Click on the image to be taken to the application.

Good Tidings Community Service Scholarship Due 11/8/24

Bay Area seniors with financial need and a commitment to service are eligible to apply for this $10,000 scholarship. Click on the image or here to access the application.

Cooke College Scholarship

Seniors with an unweighted GPA of 3.75+, plans to attend a 4-year college, and family income of up to $95,000 are eligible to apply for this 4-year award that meets up to $55,000 of your unmet need. Apply to the Cooke College Scholarship through the Common App by 11/14/2024.

Elks Most Valuable Student: Due 11/12/24

High school seniors who are US citizens are eligible to apply for up to $50,000 in scholarship funding. Students are evaluated on the basis of leadership, academic achievement, community involvement, & financial need.

2025 CYA Opens 09/30/24! Only the first 2,000 entries will be considered.

Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards Due 11/3/24

Seniors with Hispanic heritage (includes Brazilian and Filipino students) and a 3.0+GPA are eligible to apply for the Hispanic Heritage Youth Award scholarship program. Awards up to $10,000!

Changemakers $25,000 Scholarship: Due 10/10/24

The Changemakers Scholarship is designed to support an outstanding student who demonstrates academic excellence, leadership qualities, and a commitment to making a difference in their communities. By providing financial assistance, we aim to alleviate some of the burden associated with higher education, enabling deserving students to focus on their studies and reach their full potential.

Explore Career Options

Naviance: Identify Your Interests

What do want to be when you grow up? If you are still exploring careers, you should take some assessments on Naviance to identify your values, your aptitudes, & potential careers. Use your Strengths Explorer results to find Related Majors and colleges that offer the training you want.

My Next Move (Mi Proximo Paso)

What does a (insert your dream career) do all day? My Next Move helps you understand the tasks, skills, and requirements of different careers. In addition to providing the information in Spanish (Mi Proximo Paso), the website also gives you insight into the annual income you can earn.

College Board: Explore Careers & Majors

You can find careers and majors that can prepare you for those careers, and the colleges that offer interesting majors here. Log into your College Board account so you can save these searches, create your list, complete other steps in the college application process, and become eligible for a $40,000 scholarship.


***You may need to create an account again due to a recent system upgrade.***

WHS Resources

College & Career Advisors

Zorina Matavulj

Collaborating with Mr. Cortez and Mr. Hernandez

zmatavulj@seq.org

650-367-9750 ext. 40039

Schedule an appointment with me

Francisco Gil

Collaborating with Ms. Lok and Mr. Thornton

fgil@seq.org

650-367-9750 ext. 40063

Schedule an appointment with me

Yo hablo Español

Lisa Vasquez

Collaborating with Ms. Grimaldi and Mr. Negri

lvasquez@seq.org 650-367-9750 ext. 40217

Schedule an appointment with me

Woodside HS College & Career Center
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Woodside High School College and Career Advisors