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 16th - SAVE THE DATE - Junior Meeting for Students Applying to Schools that Need Letters of Recommendations and/or a School Report ZOOM

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

April 16th

ZOOM 7-830PM

There will be a STRONGLY RECOMMENDED meeting for Juniors planning on applying to a Private, Common App, and/or Coalition App College on Wednesday, April 16th from 7:00-8:30 pm on Zoom. The meeting will review the specific process and due dates to complete required school documents on Naviance and the Common Application. This meeting is very important for both parents and students!

The meeting will be POSTED on the website and RECORDED

Links are available on Sequoia calendar too!

English Meeting ID: 933 3097 6617 Pass Code: 242415

Spanish Meeting ID: 929 7370 4386

Or

English Link

Spanish Zoom Link

If you do not go to this meeting, it will be your responsibility to read and understand the process at Sequoia on the posted PowerPoint. Similar resources from this meeting will be given out at the Senior Grade Level Meeting in August.

If you need a transcript sent to a summer program, request in Naviance.

DIRECTIONS:

“Colleges” tab on the top of the homepage

Scroll down to “manage transcripts” (Under Applying to College)

Click the red button “Plus”

And then click “Other transcripts”

Finally, complete the information needed for the transcript request.

THERE is a 5 School Day turn around to send the transcripts, so plan accordingly!

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.

Register Here

April 9: Business Colleges

April 23: Public Colleges and Universities

April 29: Arts Colleges

May 7: STEM Colleges

See Flier Below

April 27th

What's a National College Fair?

• Free and open to the public, National College Fairs are the perfect place to kick off your college search.
• Admission representatives from schools across the country are all gathered in one place. Their goal: To encourage you to learn more about their institutions, and help you sort through the qualities you’re looking for in a college.
• Explore your options. Each fair draws representatives from 175 to 400 colleges. The schools are located throughout the US, and from around the globe.
• Ask questions. What’s college life like? What majors are popular on campus? Chatting with representatives from a variety of colleges can help you cement your own preferences.

Register HERE

UC for Everyone, a free virtual event for California students and families who are interested in applying to UC for fall 2026 or beyond, was hosted on February 25. Staff representatives from all nine undergraduate campuses were available to answer questions from more than 2,600 attendees. Thank you to those who joined and helped to spread the word about this event!

The event recording, along with a PDF of the presentation and helpful UC and campus resources, is now available online.

Due to differences in educational systems, US students applying abroad need to take additional coursework or exams depending on the area of study. It is critical that you do your research early so that you can make a plan to meet all the requirements.

The students from Sequoia that have successfully applied and attended colleges internationally, knew what they needed to do long before their senior year.

Like most colleges in the US, colleges abroad offer many opportunities for students to learn about what they need to prepare to meet all the requirements.

EXAMPLE:

McGill University in Quebec, Canada (An English university in a French-speaking province)

Students can see prerequisites and cut-offs from previous year (you should strive for a little higher). Their reps stress- To make sure you are eligible Entrance requirements | Undergraduate Admissions - McGill University

Or Check out the University of Waterloo:

Do you have a student who has questions about studying in Canada or about the University of Waterloo? We’re here to help! Our recruiters are here to answer more specific or technical questions.

You can also connect with our current international students. They are happy to share insights or answer questions about life in Canada or what it’s like to study at the University of Waterloo.

From Fastweb

1. Letters of Recommendation

Believe it or not, it's time to ask for letters of recommendation for college. Doing so now gives your recommenders the chance to work on your letter over the summer when they have more time.

2. Your Scholarship Search

Search and apply for scholarships on your down time – now and over the summer. The more time you give yourself to put in the effort to search and apply for scholarships, the better your odds are of winning one. Our best advice? Apply early and apply often! Also, pick a day of the week you'll apply for one or two scholarships. Get it on your calendar and commit. Oftentimes the best way to get something done is to make it a habit.

3. Standardized Testing

If you have not done so already, make sure to schedule standardized test (ACT or SAT) prep courses over the summer. Khan Academy offers FREE test prep and practice exams with interactive videos and tons of tips you could use to be a better test taker.

4. Build Your College Resume

Build your resume by signing up for summer volunteer programs, a summer job, or extracurricular activities you enjoy. Keep in mind, you should always be building network connections. For instance, if you're interested in veterinary school, volunteer at your local animal shelter and network with your boss. He/she will remember your efforts and could possibly craft an excellent recommendation letter on your behalf!

5. Explore College Campuses Virtually – or In Person!

Check sites to see if your college has created a virtual tour.. Helpful Tip: Purchase a notebook for your visits. Take notes on the things you liked, didn't like, and questions you have for the college admissions team.

6. Establish a Summer Savings Account

Set up a summer savings plan, which allows you to start saving for college now! The earlier you get started on saving, the better financial state you'll be in when you begin college.

7. Research Colleges

Start thinking about what you want out of a college in terms of academics, social (like Greek life, clubs and organizations), and campus lifestyle. Create a list of all the factors you're looking for – detailing negotiable and non-negotiable factors. Begin researching institutions that fit the criteria on the lists you made. From there, you can begin to decide which colleges you'd like to visit and learn more about.

If you are the official registered list for the SAT School Day on April 23rd at Sequoia, you received an email on February 12th with your next steps.

No other students can be added at this time but you can email tyeager@seq.org if you'd like to be on the waitlist.

If you took the PSAT in the Fall, you may have created a Big Future app account to see your PSAT Scores. This is the not the same as a College Board Account. If you will be taking the SAT, make sure to create a College Board Account.

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

• 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

Updated April and May lists are 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: April 6

ELIGIBLE GRADES: 9-12th

Each spring, a nation-wide high school arts competition is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Congressional Art Competition is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our California 15th Congressional District.

The competition is open to all high school students in our District. The winning artwork of our district’s competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. The exhibit in Washington will include the winning artwork from all participating districts from around the country. The winning artwork is also featured on House.gov’s Congressional Art Competition page. The second and third place winners may be featured in our District Office.

Art Competition Rules

Please view the full set of rules and criteria on the Congressional Art Institute’s website.

JUNIORS

Due: April 21st

Multiple awards of at least $250 for juniors in the following categories: academic success, community service, and resilience. See Sequoia's PTSA website for more info.

Digital Responsibility: E-Waste Scholarship

9th-12th grade

Complete the application form and include a 140-character statement that completes this sentence: The most important reason to care about e-waste is…

Be-You-Tiful, Be Free Multimedia Contest, From the Eating Disorders Resource Center

9th-12th grade

Submit a poem. essay, artwork, or video

THEME: How does social media and the world around you influence how you see yourself or others?

Deadline Extended to April 8th

10th -11th grade

One-week summer residency program at UC Berkeley that is designed to help increase the number of underrepresented students of color that attend college and major in accounting, finance, or business Apply Here

Due: April 11th

Grades Eligible: 9-12th

African American/Black, Native American, Samoan, Tonga, Fiji, Guam, Filipino, and Hispanic/Latino students who want to become a physician. WEBSITE

Due: April 11th

Grades Eligible: 9-12th

Girls Who Code offers two FREE programs in the summer: the virtual Summer Immersion Program and the Self-Paced Program. Applicants can apply for BOTH programs, if eligible, using this application. However, students can only participate in one summer program. Self-Paced Program/6-week flexible computer science course. Earn beginner-level badges in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for web development or an intermediate-level badge in Python for cybersecurity. Early decision deadline: Feb 26th WEBSITE

April 12th

ELIGIBLE GRADES/AGES: 9-12th

Come spend a day with current UCSF students to explore healthcare career options! The day will include presentations and hands-on activities from medical, dental, physical therapy, graduate division, pharmacy, students as well as the clinical sciences team. Don't miss out on this opportunity! Registration is free and currently limited to the first 250 students. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Details are listed below.

Date: Saturday (4/12/25)

Time: 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Location: UCSF Parnassus campus, Cole Hall (513 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, California 94143)

Registration Link: https://bit.ly/ucsfhosc2025

DUE: April 15th

ELIGIBLE GRADES/AGES: 9-11th

A 5-day leadership camp free to 9th-11th grade students in Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties. The camp supports a participant’s personal growth as a leader and team player at school, at home, and in the community. WEBSITE

Summer

Due: April 15

Grades Eligible:9-12

Through hands-on projects, teen girls will handle power tools and learn the essential elements of various construction trades. They’ll develop a “can-do” attitude and greater self-confidence as they tackle challenging projects. Seasoned mentors and role models are on hand to ensure campers perform tasks safely and accurately. WEBSITE

Internship

Due: 4/18/2025

9-12th grade

PLEDGE initiative focuses on reducing gun violence in schools through evidence-based education and brings together diverse perspectives from across the community. The internship is offered through the Stanford School of Medicine and students will have the opportunity to work with each other to shape how gun injury prevention is taught. Students will have the opportunity to work with Stanford Surgery faculty and nurses.

For more information about the program, please visit takethepledge.stanford.edu or

contact Navleen Naru at takethepledge@stanford.edu.

Students can apply directly here

Summer

Due: April 18th

Grades Eligible:10-12

Jump Start is a six-week summer program designed to help high school students with college potential upgrade their skills in English, math, critical thinking, and college success skills. Students will be concurrently enrolled at Skyline College, receiving college credit for the courses they take when they complete the program. WEBSITE

Summer

Due: April 24

Grades Eligible:9-12

The Academy is a powerful three-week program for high school students passionate about climate action, leadership, and making a difference. Participants will build knowledge, develop skills, and connect with a network of like-minded peers and mentors. WEBSITE

Three weeks course

Due: April 24

Grades Eligible:9-12

Cooperate in a team-based competition to unravel solutions to current economic issues. WEBSITE

DUE: May 15th

ELIGIBLE GRADES: 10th and 11th

NASA Ames runs a training program in bioinformatics called “GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS)”. This year, we’re scaling up and offering it more widely. It’s a great way for high school students interested in space, biology, and coding to get introduced to the field. If you think any Sequoia student might be interested, all of the info is HERE The program runs from June 2-Aug 29th.

Volunteer

all year

Grades Eligible: 9-12th

To sign up to volunteer, visit our website by selecting one of the following options: Sort food at our warehouses, Distribute food to community members - Distribution sites are located in nearly every neighborhood in Silicon Valley,

Deliver food to homes – Load your vehicle and deliver healthy groceries to homes of seniors and other homebound clients in Santa Clara or San Mateo County. You must be 18 years old to volunteer for this activity. 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)

From Appily

Demonstrated financial need is the difference between the cost of attendance and the amount your family is expected to contribute. It’s determined based on information a student submits in a college’s required financial aid application materials, which typically include the FAFSA (which yields your Student Aid Index, or “SAI”) and one or more supplemental documents. Some colleges require the CSS Profile to learn about the student’s financial situation, while others have their own unique financial aid application. These financial aid documents may consider your family’s earnings, assets, household size, and other factors.

If you are admitted to a college that meets 100% of your demonstrated need, the college will consider your SAI and submitted financial aid forms to determine your eligibility for need-based aid and, ultimately, your financial aid package. Generally, the lower your SAI (it can be as low as -1500), the more need-based aid you can expect to receive. At colleges that meet 100% of need, your financial aid package will cover the entirety of your demonstrated need.

Financial Aid Packages Can Include Different Types of Financial Assistance

Financial aid packages may be composed of grants and scholarship funding (money you do not need to repay), student loans (money you do need to repay), and student employment funding. Some institutions do not include student loans as an expectation in their financial aid package, meeting 100% of demonstrated need with only grant and scholarship funding (also referred to as “gift aid”).

Example: University of Pennsylvania

According to Penn’s financial aid website:

“Penn’s grant-based undergraduate financial aid program meets 100% of demonstrated financial need with grants and work-study funding, making it possible for students to graduate with a world-class undergraduate degree debt-free.”

Full article including a database of schools that meet 100% of demonstrated need.

Resource Handout Paying for College

2025 Financial Aid: Key Terms to Know

Ayuda Financiera Terminos

Dinero para la universidad

Earn and learn occupations can include a blend of workplace experience and classroom training. These types of occupations offer opportunities for job seekers to gain real-life work skills and increase their career options.

The State of California has a tool: The California Earn and Learn Occupations Tool is a web-based, interactive tool designed to assist job seekers, workforce partners, and businesses identify potential occupations in which you could earn a wage and learn new skills at the same time.

You can search opportunities by region

You can look at a list of Earn and Learn Occupations

You can find training centers for the education programs associated with the occupation.

Eligible Age: 16+

We are looking for talented musicians to lead rock band groups at Rock Band Summer Camp! Must have a knowledge of guitar/bass/keys/vocals and the ability to create simple and fun song arrangements.

Rock Band Camp runs in weekly sessions, each Monday-Friday from 9am-3pm throughout June, July and August. Counselors can choose to work one week or all summer long. $600/week. To apply, send a cover letter to info@hummingbirdmusicschool.com

See Flier Below

Must be 16 or older to apply

San Carlos Parks and Recreation is looking for individuals who are passionate about giving back to the community, motivated, enthusiastic, and responsible. Engage a fun and positive leadership experience while also having the opportunity to make an impact on kid’s lives. Come join our Parks and Recreation staff as a Recreation Leaders I/II or Program Coordinator in our Summer Camp Programs! Learn more and apply today at https://www.calopps.org/city-of-san-carlos

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!

SECOND SEMESTER

Jan 12-18, 2025 COLLEGE TIP: Reflect on Who You Are as an Applicant While Updating Your Naviance Resume CAREER: Career in Radiology

Jan 19-25, 2025 COLLEGE TIP- Consider Out of State Colleges, Deadline for Juniors to sign up for Sequoia's School Day SAT

Jan 26-Feb 1, 2025 COLLEGE TIP: Top Priorities in Choosing a College - From College Vine CAREER: Careers in Gaming

Feb 2-8, 2025 Click Here COLLEGE TIP: Location, Location, FINANCIAL AID How to Talk with Your Parents about Paying for College from CollegeData.com

Feb 9-15, 2025 COLLEGE TIP: Summer Opportunities- NOW IS THE TIME TO RESEARCH AND APPLY CAREER: Think About Getting a Summer Job You Can Do While You Are Going to School/College - Get Certified As a Lifeguard

Feb 16-March 1, 2025 COLLEGE TIP: Entering contests FINANCIAL AID Nine surprising facts about the cost of attending the University of California from UC Newsroom JUNIORS: SAT School Day Testing Confirmation

March 2-8, 2025 COLLEGE TIP:What is The Common App? From The Common App CAREER:Should You Pursue an Associate or a Baccalaureate Nursing Degree? From NurseJournal

March 9-15, 2025 COLLEGE TIP: Holistic Review According to Stanford FA: Overlooked Strategies on How to Pay for College

March 16-22, 2025 COLLEGE TIP:Nomination Programs You're Getting in the Mail: Are they legitimate? CAREER: Career in Marine Biology

March 23-29 NACAC College Fair, LOR College Tip:Why are they important FA: FA Resources from March 16 FA Meeting

March 30- April 5, 2025 COLLEGE TIP: Planning on Visiting Colleges During Spring Break? Tips from Georgia Tech CAREER:Earn and Learn Occupations From State of California EDD