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

The College and Career Center will be attending a conference Wed-Fri Sept 25-27th.

UPCOMING EVENTS/DUE DATES:

Oct 9 - Freshman Grade Level IB/4 Year College Meeting

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

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

Freshman: Wednesday, October 9th

The annual college/IB/ICAP meetings are specifically focused on the requirements, deadlines of the IB Diploma, the IB/ICAP program, and the college application process for attending a four-year college. Ms. Nino-Sears (IB Coordinator)/Ms Galvan (Counselor) and Ms. Ignaitis/Ms Yeager (College/Career Counselors) present specific information and a different focus for each grade.

Meetings are for students and parents.

All GRADE LEVEL MEETINGS will be:

• Presented in person (English speaking in Carrington Hall)

• Presented separately for Spanish speaking parents/guardians in the MPR

• SLIDES will be Posted on the SHS College and Career website

• Links will be available in the Weekly Newsletter

Miss a Grade Level Meeting?

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

Junior: Wednesday, September 11th

Sophomore: Wednesday September 18th

We are currently reviewing the CSF applications for Spring 2024 and will be updating transcripts for eligible students by the third week in October.

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!

When: Wednesday October 23, 2024

- Meet in Gym 1 by 8:15am

- Dress comfortably, bring layers and a water bottle.

Where: TBA but past schools have included UC Berkeley, San Jose State, University of San Francisco, Sonoma State, San Francisco State, University of the Pacific, or Santa Clara University

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

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

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.

Cal Poly

Mon Sept 23

8:30 AM

Northwestern University

Mon Sept 23

9:15 AM

Beloit College

Mon Sept 23

10:30 AM

Chaminade University of Honolulu

Mon Sept 23

1:00 PM

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tue Sept 24

9:30 AM

University of Waterloo

Tue Sept 24

10:30 AM

University of California-San Diego

Tue Sept 24

11:15 AM

NYU Abu Dhabi

Tue Sept 24

1:00 PM

University of Rochester

Wed Sept 25

11:15 AM

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Fri Sept 27

7:45 AM

University of San Francisco

Tue Oct 1, 2024

1:00 PM

Oregon State University

Wed Oct 2, 2024

8:30 AM

Loyola University Chicago

Wed Oct 2, 2024

11:15 AM

University of Vermont

Thu Oct 3, 2024

8:30 AM

Pitzer College

Thu Oct 3, 2024

11:15 AM

Boston University

Fri Oct 4, 2024

7:45 AM

Sarah Lawrence College

Fri Oct 4, 2024

8:30 AM

Adelphi University

Fri Oct 4, 2024

9:00 AM

Sunday, October 6

Attending a virtual session is a great way to learn more about these schools.

Go here to sign-up for the meeting.

Get to know Bowdoin in a virtual information session hosted by an admissions officer. There will be time for students and parents to ask questions on everything from academic and career opportunities, to campus life, living in coastal Maine, and more.

Sept. 26; 8 p.m. EDT

Sept 24th

Oct 1st, 3rd, 10th

St Mary’s will offer a series of virtual sessions to learn more about the many ways that Saint Mary’s inspires, engages and transforms students. These information sessions will spotlight many of our distinctive academic programs, financial aid opportunities, campus and student life and more!

Admissions at SMC

Sept 24

REGISTER HERE

Financial Aid Spotlight

Oct 1st

REGISTER HERE

Study Abroad Spotlight

Oct 3rd

REGISTER HERE

Honors Program

Oct 10th

REGISTER HERE

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: Explore the City with Students

Wednesday, October 9
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Register here.

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

A research university prioritizes research. At these institutions, graduate students, postdocs, and professors conduct original research in diverse fields.

Research universities can be public or private institutions. Research universities offer several benefits for students, even undergraduates in non-research fields. Compared to smaller institutions, R1 universities typically offer more majors, for example. And students at any level can benefit from the resources at a research university.

More Research Opportunities

At the undergraduate and graduate levels, research universities simply offer more research opportunities.

Undergrads can gain research experience through research programs or independent study opportunities. Grad students work in labs, build prototypes, and conduct archival research at R1 universities.

Distinguished Professors

Research universities attract exceptional faculty members, including experts in STEM, medicine, the social sciences, and law. Distinguished researchers often teach at R1 institutions.

These professors balance their research contributions with teaching undergrads and grad students. Learners benefit from studying with experts in their field.

Cutting-Edge Research Equipment

Top-ranked research institutions devote significant resources to their research budgets — R1 institutions have a minimum annual research budget of $5 million. And that number goes up for many top research universities.

In 2020, more than 20 R1 schools spent $1 billion or more on research and development. And Johns Hopkins topped $3 billion.

What does that mean for students? These schools have the most up-to-date research facilities. Students and faculty at R1 schools benefit from the best research tools in the field.

Strong Reputation

It's no surprise that research universities rank at the top of "best college" lists. R1 institutions have strong reputations for academic excellence.

And those reputations extend beyond applied research fields to include theoretical disciplines, scholarship-based fields, and more. Research universities have a long track record of contributing to society, both through innovations and by educating students.

Preparation for Grad School

Attending a research university for a bachelor's degree can set graduates up for success later on — from getting into top grad schools to becoming leaders in the field.

Consider the list of undergraduate alma maters for Nobel Prize winners — of the top seven schools, five are R1 institutions.

Full article

Oct 23- PSAT

Nov 13- PSAT Passback, Standardized Testing Next Steps Virtual Meeting

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

OCTOBER 23th

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 week of Oct 6th.

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

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 Sept 30th

Eligible Grades: 9-12th

This scholarship helps students understand the risks of texting while driving. 140-character statement that completes this sentence: I pledge to not text and drive because... Must be US Citizen or Legal Resident

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?"

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: 9/28/2024

Grades Eligible:9-12th

9 Saturday afternoons via Zoom, high school students gain an introduction to the health sciences field. Students will hear from graduate students, research professors, and various health professionals as they learn more about the health sciences' academic, research, and professional components. They'll also have the opportunity to take workshops on various topics like college admissions and work on a group research project. WEBSITE

FIRST MEETING OCT 1st - Apply ASAP

ELIGIBLE AGE/GRADE: 15-21 Years Old

NAMI's Youth Advisory Council will be starting soon and we are looking for youths who are interested in advocating for mental health and organizing events to destigmatize mental health conversations and topics Residents and able to commit to one hour every other week for YAC meetings for one year, virtually with occasional in-person meetings.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)

Besides learning about what academic and social programs colleges offer during a college visit at Sequoia, you can also learn about what type of financial aid they offer. Most of the time it is in the form of Merit Aid. Merit-based means that something is based on a student's skill or ability. Often there are certain requirements (GPA, leadership, community service and sometimes test scores) that would be important to know before your senior year. Colleges can offer multiple types from $1000.00 to a full-ride. Usually private colleges have the most to give. Sometimes they can bring the cost down to be comparable to our public colleges.

When College Reps also go over financial aid during their visit, be prepared to ask about institutional aid - It can help you decide which colleges to apply to in the future!

1. What type of merit aid is available and what are the basic requirements?

2. Do you offer scholarships from a specific department?

3. What is the average student debt for your graduates?

4. Do you offer any leadership or community service scholarships?

5. What percent of students receive merit-based scholarships? How much is offered for the largest merit scholarship? What is the average merit-aid given?

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

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!

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