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:

Oct 15- Mini RACC College Fair at Sequoia (more information next week)

Oct 23th - College Day! -More Specific Info To Come (see Announcements for 9th and 11th activities)

Oct 23th - Juniors PSAT - See Junior Section Below for More Information

Nov 13th- Save the Date -PSAT Passback, Standardized Testing Next Steps

Links are on the SHS website - Departments, College and Career, Evening Presentations

Junior: Wednesday, September 11th

Sophomore: Wednesday September 18th

Freshman - Wednesday October 9th

RACC College Fair at Sequoia - Please Register Before the Fair

Oct 15th in the main quad during 7th period

The Regional Admission Counselors of California (RACC) is composed of college admission professionals who represent colleges and universities outside the state.

On Oct 15th, 23 colleges (Listed Below) will be attending the fair at Sequoia.

RACC will be using StriveScan for student barcode scanning at all of our events.

Please register ahead of time using the QR code below or at www.StriveFair.com.

Worchester Polytechnic Institution

University of Utah

Washington State University

University of Oregon

Southern Methodist University

Baylor University

Texas Christian University

Oregon State University

Franklin University Switzerland

High Point University

University of Rochester

University of Pittsburgh

Clark University

IE University

University of Nevada Reno

Clarkson University

Seton Hal University

Hampden Sydney College

Purdue University

University of Tennessee

Penn State

Arizona State University

Loyola University Chicago

TURN IN YOUR PERMISSION SLIPS NOW!!!

Make sure your permission slips (google form) are submitted online or to Room 115 (College & Career Center) today!

English or Spanish paper permission slips

Go here to see if you have already submitted a permission slip for your student: List of Submitted Permission Slips

When: Wednesday October 23, 2024

- Meet in Gym 1 by 8:15am

- Dress comfortably, bring layers and a water bottle.

Where: 9 Bay Area Campuses

What: All Sequoia freshmen will visit a Bay Area College Campus.

The counseling office is looking for reliable clerks for 3rd and 4th period. Being a clerk for the counseling office includes helping deliver passes, doing minor clerical work, and helping welcome new transfer students to Sequoia. This is an opportunity to be a leader and also earn elective credit. Visit the counseling office in room 104 if you are interested!

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.

HOW TO SIGN UP

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.

St Olaf College

Tue Oct 15,

9:30 AM

Chapman University

Tue Oct 15,

10:30 AM

University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Tue Oct 15,

11:15 AM

Loyola Marymount University

Tue Oct 15,

1:00 PM

Franklin and Marshall College

Wed Oct 16

7:45 AM

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Wed Oct 16

8:30 AM

New York University

Wed Oct 16

9:30 AM 50

California State University-Chico

Wed Oct 16

10:15 AM

University of California-Irvine

Wed Oct 16

11:15 AM

Simmons University

Wed Oct 16

12:30 PM

Seattle University

Thu Oct 17

7:45 AM

University of California-Santa Barbara

Thu Oct 17

8:30 AM

Grinnell College

Thu Oct 17

9:30 AM

University of Connecticut

Thu Oct 17

11:15 AM

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Thu Oct 17

1:15 PM

Willamette University

Thu Oct 17

2:00 PM

University of Miami

Fri Oct 18

7:45 AM

Indiana University-Bloomington

Fri Oct 18

8:30 AM

University of Colorado Boulder

Fri Oct 18

9:00 AM

Gonzaga University

Fri Oct 18

11:15 AM

Lehigh University

Fri Oct 18

1:15 PM

Claremont McKenna College

Mon Oct 21

9:15 AM

Seton Hall University

Tue Oct 22

11:15 AM

Seattle University

Thu Oct 17

7:45 AM

University of California-Santa Barbara

Thu Oct 17

8:30 AM

Grinnell College

Thu Oct 17

9:30 AM

University of Connecticut

Thu Oct 17

11:15 AM

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Thu Oct 17

1:15 PM

Willamette University

Thu Oct 17

2:00 PM

University of Miami

Fri Oct 18

7:45 AM

Indiana University-Bloomington

Fri Oct 18

8:30 AM

University of Colorado Boulder

Fri Oct 18

9:00 AM

Gonzaga University

Fri Oct 18

11:15 AM

Lehigh University

Fri Oct 18

1:15 PM

Claremont McKenna College

Mon Oct 21

9:15 AM

Seton Hall University

Tue Oct 22

11:15 AM

The Best of Boston: Explore the City with Students event will provide you with the opportunity to hear from students from each institution about the benefits of going to school in Boston: “America’s College Town.” The students will also answer any questions you may have about incorporating the city into their own college experiences.

Additionally, we will offer a workshop specifically about your questions on the admission process. The College Application Process event will walk you through the application process and advise you on how to showcase your accomplishments to universities, while keeping stress to a minimum.

Best of Boston: College Application Process
Tuesday, October 15
8:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Register here.

October 15-17th

To give students interested in Stanford University an opportunity to connect with our community, we are hosting a series of virtual programs called Community Conversations. The Offices of Undergraduate Admission and the Vice Provost for Student Affairs will join together to provide relevant information about our application's components, our Community Centers, and our diverse student body. To register, please follow the links below.

Asian American Activities Center

El Centro Chicano y Latino

Tuesday, October 15

3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Pacific time

Register now

First Generation and/or Low-Income Student Success Center

Wednesday, October 16

3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Pacific time

Register now

Black Community Services Center

Native American Cultural Center

Thursday, October 17

3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Pacific time

Register now

Community Conversations are open to students of ALL backgrounds, regardless of how they may identify. Because of our strong belief in the value of diversity (broadly defined) in the pursuit of our educational and research missions, we strongly encourage participation from those whose backgrounds and life experiences would bring additional dimensions to Stanford.

• October 24: Ask Us Anything: College Applications. 8 p.m. ET
  
  We’re calling all seniors to join us for this panel discussion to get application tips from admissions counselors. Featuring: Clark University, Syracuse University, Texas Christian University, and Vanderbilt University.
  
  Register →

Date: Saturday, October 19th

Time: 11am-12:15pm PDT

Location: Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, 505 Howard St., San Francisco, CA 94105

Our panel of Lehigh graduates who live and work in the Bay Area will share about their Lehigh experience and how Lehigh helped prepare them for success in their career path and life after Lehigh. Many of them are originally from the Bay Area and some are very recent graduates. Bring your questions to be answered by our alumni and your admissions counselor!

Register here

Oct 13th SF

Oct 16th Los Altos

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 Here SF and Los Altos

College of the Holy Cross is a small liberal arts college in Worcester, MA that I never heard of until they visited Sequoia a couple of weeks ago. It is a selective college (21% admit rate) located in a college town that is part of a consortium of nine colleges in the same city. I was further impressed by their 90% Medical School Acceptance Rate and

94% Law School Acceptance Rate.

When you study at a liberal arts college the focus of the academic curriculum is studying across disciplines and engaging in interdisciplinary programs. You graduate with the critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills that will help you in any career for years to come.

Classes are almost all taught by faculty as opposed to graduate students. This allows students to form close relationships with their professors. Those relationships lead to multiple research opportunities, connections with people in the industry that turn into internships, individualize mentoring and advising. By the time you graduate, your professors can write very personalized letters of recommendation to employers and graduate schools.

So if you want to go to medical school after graduating from college, keep a liberal arts college in mind. Most liberal arts colleges offer a significantly higher admit rate than the national average (40-50%).

Here are some of the top small liberal arts colleges admit rate to medical school:

Amherst College Location: Amherst, MA

• Medical school acceptance rate: 75–80% on average 6

Swarthmore College Location: Swarthmore, PA

• Medical school acceptance rate: 81% in 2022 4

Pomona College Location: Pomona, CA

• Medical school acceptance rate: 85% 8

Wellesley College Location: Wellesley, MA

• Medical school acceptance rate: 77% in 2019

Bowdoin College Location: Brunswick, ME

Medical school acceptance rate: 87% average over the last 15 years 3

Carleton College Location: Northfield, MN

• Medical school acceptance rate: 82% average over the past 5 years 3

Middlebury College Location: Middlebury, VT

• Medical school acceptance rate: 91% over the past 5 years 4

SHS College Visit Grinnell College Location: Grinnell, IA

• Medical school acceptance rate: 66%

Barnard College Location: New York, NY

• Medical school acceptance rate: 84% who have at least a 3.5 GPA and 510 MCAT 3

Davidson College Location: Davidson, NC

• Medical school acceptance rate: 79% 2 of first time applicants get into medical, dental, or veterinary school

Vassar College Location: Poughkeepsie, NY

• Medical school acceptance rate: 88% 10

Smith College Location: Northampton, MA

• Medical school acceptance rate: 80% of “qualified applicants”

Source: The Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Medical School (2024) — Shemmassian Academic Consulting 94

Oct 23- PSAT

Nov 13- PSAT Passback, Standardized Testing Next Steps Virtual Meeting.(We will go over School Day SAT here and then in the Newsletter)

Apr 23 - Sequoia School Day SAT

• All details will be at our evening meetings and in our Weekly Newsletter
• If a student needs accommodations for the PSAT/SAT exam, you must request them through College Board. INFO HERE

Fall 2024 Student Guide from College Board

CB - How to Prepare for PSAT webpage

Sequoia will be administering the DIGITAL PSAT to our juniors on Oct 23rd from 830-12:00

This is a new format.

Students must use their Sequoia Issued Chromebook

The Digital PSAT uses the Bluebook app and it has been installed on ALL school issued Chromebooks.

Students will register in their English class during the week of Oct 6th

If you do not have a WORKING school issued Chromebook, you will need to get one. COMPLETE THIS FORM NOW

How to Register Early, again ONLY on the SCHOOL ISSUED Chromebook - this is not required!

When the page comes up to sign in to your SUHSD Chromebook go to the taskbar

Click on the Apps icon

Click on Bluebook

(No need to login to Chromebook)

REMEMBER this is only if you want to look at Bluebook EARLY

BEFORE The Week of Oct 6 in your English Class where you will be given a sign-in ticket

Click on “Test Your Device” - to make sure Bluebook is working

Click on “Sign in with a student College Board Account”

Once you sign in the screen below will pop up and you will be able to explore!

IF students want to register ON THEIR OWN BEFORE the Week of Oct 6th to familiarize themselves earlier with the new digital platform, take practice exams, they need to have a College Board account.

NOTE: A College Board account is not required (Your English teachers will give students a sign-on ticket code)

ALSO: If there is an issue with registering early STUDENTS ONLY:

- complete the form above if it is a tech issue

-come into the College and Career Center at lunch

DO NOT EMAIL AT THIS TIME ABOUT REGISTRATION

No commitment at this point.

Complete the form below using QR code or http://bit.ly/3XknZN5

Only students can complete this form by Oct 1st

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

October and early 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.

Due: 10/28/2024

ELIGIBLE GRADES: 10-12th

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

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.

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?"

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

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: ASAP

ELIGIBLE GRADES: 9-10th

Receive guidance toward achieving your goals. Personal mentor and academic support. Residents and able to commit to one hour every other week for YAC meetings for one year, virtually with occasional in-person meetings. Flier below and in College and Career Center

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

Project Read has some upcoming training for teens who would like to volunteer on

October 8

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)

RaiseMe is a platform that helps 9-12th grade students, community college students, and college students (intending to transfer to another 4 year institution) prepare for college by earning scholarships for their achievements in school. Over 250+ colleges and universities have partnered with RaiseMe, and award micro-scholarships for both academics and extracurricular activities.

How does it work?

Students create a portfolio and select colleges they’re interested in attending. As they add achievements to their portfolio - grades, club or sports participation, even college visits - they can see the micro-scholarships add up.

Partner colleges assign a potential dollar amount to certain achievements, which shows students how much they’d be guaranteed in scholarships if they are accepted to that school. For example, one college may offer $100 for an A, and another may offer $500. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo offers $2000-3,000 for students who keep their profiles updated.

As long as students meet the college’s eligibility requirements and any deadlines, and are accepted to the university, they can count on at least that much in scholarship awards on a per year basis.

Go here to sign-up and learn more.

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

Association of American Medical Colleges has an extensive website with a section designated for high school students.

If you are interest in a career in medicine, please explore this website

Medical Explorers

A group for high school students interested in medicine. Supervised by Dr. Enoch Choi, this Medical Post exposes students to numerous areas in the field of medicine such as pediatrics, psychology, and genetics. Operates as a Facebook Group For general inquiries please email VMCmedicalexplorer@gmail.com

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

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

Students: visit the website for a number of How-To videos that Sequoia Counselors made for help with common application, scholarships and much more!

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

9th-11th 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