Senior 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:

Aug 25 - Last day to contact counselor about errors on your current transcript

Aug 25 - Last day to turn-in concurrent enrollment transcript to add to your current transcript

Aug 28 - Senior Grade Level IB/4 Year College Meeting

Aug 28- First College Visit at Sequoia!

Aug 30 - Senior Transcripts

Sept 16th- CSF Applications due (see information below)

Wed, August 28th: General College Application Help

Thurs, August 29th : No Flex Scheduled in the College and Career Center

Are you confused or do you have a lot of questions about the process for submitting your letters of recommendation and/or just about general requirements and procedures at Sequoia for submitting your applications and school documents???

PLEASE ATTEND the Grade Level Meeting in Carrington Hall on , Wednesday, August 28 for students and families More information below.

• Wednesday, August 28th at 7pm

  The annual Four-Year College/IB meeting for students and parents/guardians is specifically focused on senior year application and IB process at Sequoia
  

  Ms. Nino-Sears (IB Coordinator)/ Ms Galvan (Counselor) will go over the requirements, deadlines and procedures for the IB Program and IB Diploma.

  Ms. Ignaitis/Ms. Yeager (College/Career Advisors) will present information about applying to Four Year Colleges including UC,CSU, Common Application, Out of State Public Colleges, and Coalition. Some of the other topics include:

  How to Officially Request Transcripts if Needed

  Early Action/Early Decision

  Letters of Recommendation that are specific to Sequoia.

  
  

  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

  
  

DUE: Sept 16th by 3:45pm – Don’t Wait! No Late Exceptions!

The California Scholarship Federation (CSF) emphasizes high standards of scholarship and community service for California high school students. For families that do not know about CSF, it is basically a state-wide honor roll organization. The word scholarship has to do with academic performance NOT SCHOLARSHIP MONEY.

You must be a member at LEAST one semester of your senior year to be a Life Member!

For applications, class lists, help completing the form, and general information about the CSF organization please visit the College and Career Center’s CSF webpage or pick up a packet in the bin outside of the College and Career Center

Directions and deadline for submitted Spring 2024 CSF Applications - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

DIRECTIONS:

Only students can complete and submit the application to Ms. Yeager in the College and Career Center/Room 115 from August 26th-September 16th by 3:45pm

The submitted application packet must include:

1. A completed CSF application

2. $5.00 application fee in cash or a check made payable to Sequoia High School

3. A copy of the previous semester report card or transcript- A transcript can be obtained through a student’s Infinite Campus account (report tab).

Please DO NOT GO TO THE COUNSELING OFFICE FOR YOUR TRANSCRIPT!

STUDENTS - if you need help, have questions, or have an issue paying please come by the College and Career Center WE will help you!

By August 30th

If needed, contact your counselor to make changes. This transcript is the one that will be used for your fall college applications.

It is a good practice to look at the list of schools visiting Sequoia (or the area) on a regular basis.

• If you want to attend you must follow all the procedures in a timely manner in order to leave class and listen to a thirty-minute presentation in Room 115.

• Students need to sign up at least ONE SCHOOL DAY (ends at 3:45) before the visit.

• There is a deadline on Naviance to avoid students leaving class at the last minute out of respect for the teacher.

• Students who attend should be prepared for the visit.

• If you do not have a class during the visit time, register on Naviance, and let us know when you enter the room.

• Colleges visits are updated on Naviance. If there is a college you want to speak to, email sequoiaccc@seq.org and we will try to schedule a visit.

Below are the steps you must follow to attend the visiting college meetings at Sequoia High School:

STEP 1: In your Naviance account, go to the “Colleges” tab on the top bar, click on “College Visits”, to get the complete list OR under “What’s New” on your homepage, select a college you want to visit and click on “Register Now" and it will change to "Registered".

STEP 2: Ask your teacher, of the class you will be missing, for permission to leave their class during the time listed on Naviance. IF OK, go to Step 3.

*STEP 3: PRINT YOUR CONFIRMATION PAGE from your Naviance account and have your teacher SIGN THE Confirmation Page as a pass BEFORE YOU LEAVE CLASS. If you do not have a signed pass, you will not be admitted.

*You can also show it to your teacher on your phone and have the teacher sign a piece of scratch paper if that’s easier.

PROBLEMS –

• If you are not on the list, you will not be admitted EVEN THOUGH your teacher signed a pass.

• If you know you might have printer problems, print the pass in the College and Career Center at lunch the day before the visit.

• The College and /Career Center does not excuse students from a class, only your teacher can allow you to attend a college visit.

NEED HELP

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.

The George Washington University

Wed Aug 28 9:30am

Washington State University

Wed Sept 4th 11:15am

Marist College

Thurs Sept 5th 2:00pm

Hampden-Sydney College

Fri Sept 6th 8:30am

Occidental College

Fri Sept 6th 9:00am

August 29th

For high school seniors only: Did you miss the UC PIQ and Common App presentations last spring? If you missed them, you’re in luck! Alice Kleeman will return to the Redwood City Public Library on Thursday, August 29, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m in the Community Room. She will share everything you need to know to write fantastic responses to the UC Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) and Common App essays and supplements. Offered as two separate sessions last spring, Alice will combine them into one session for students who hoped to attend but could not. Resister here. (If you attended last spring, there’s no need to repeat—but do please tell your friends to sign up!) Students in past years have said:

"Attending Alice's sessions was one of the best decisions I have made. Alice offers some of the most genuine and helpful college-admissions advice, and her insight helped me immensely during the essay-writing process."

“The sessions are informative, clarify any misconceptions about the college-admissions process, and give helpful guidance on how to write college essays.”

“Sessions with Alice were informative and engaging, and her help over email with my essays was unmatched. Would 10/10 recommend for an easier college-app experience!"

August 28th at 9:30PM our time

A Bachelor of Design may be just what will get them thriving! At Massey University in New Zealand we offer all types of design: Fashion, Textile, Concept, Photography, Spatial, Visual Communication, Maori or Integrated.

Ranked in the top 100 Schools of Art and Design in the world (QS rankings) and accredited by NASAD (National Association of Schools of Art and Design in the USA), help your students to reach out for their dreams… in the best College of Creative Arts in New Zealand!

We will be running an information webinar next 29th August (28th in the USA), please do register! If the timing is not convenient, you will be provided with a recording afterwards, so that you can watch it at your own time.

Hear from Associate Professor Sven Mehzoud about how we prepare students for success with cutting-edge technology and hands-on craft. Explore our facilities, innovative programmes, and unique majors that make us stand out.

Register here - https://massey.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JldC5hmXSxeFlXNBMGvTkg

Two Virtual Presentations: Sept 3 & 8th

Two In Person Presentations: Sept 11th & 12th

Learn about 8 Highly Selective Liberal Arts Colleges at one event.

Claremont McKenna, Colorado College, Connecticut, Grinnell, Haverford, Kenyon, Macalester, and Sarah Lawrence College will be hosting an informational meeting for students and parents.

For more information and a full list of presentations CLICK HERE

San Francisco Registration

San Jose Registration

A great opportunity to learn about small liberal arts colleges!

The University of Notre Dame's Office of Undergraduate Admissions will be hosting ND on the Road events in your area.

These events will include information on academic, community, and spiritual life at the University of Notre Dame, as well as insights into the admissions and financial aid processes.

Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at 7:00 PM

Bellarmine College Preparatory

960 W Hedding St

San Jose, CA

Registration for the ND on the Road events is available here.

Sept 8th

Take your future in art and design above and beyond! Visit with counselors, admissions team members, and faculty from art and design schools for a portfolio review before applying to colleges and universities. National Portfolio Day is a way for students to meet with counselors, admission team members, and faculty from accredited art and design schools around the world for free portfolio reviews.

For more information and registration CLICK HERE

We will go over the process on how to request official transcripts at the Senior Grade Level 4yr College/IB Meeting on August 28th

Summer work needs to be added and counselors need to make sure they are correct before we upload them to send to colleges!

You can download your unofficial transcript off of Infinite Campus

The CSU Application YOU NEED AS A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL will not be available until October 1st

As a first time freshman, you will need to choose Fall of 2025

If you apply now using Spring of 2024, you application will not be considered.

September 19th

The CSU is proud to host five College Nights at different locations across California this fall. These events are free and open to any high school, community college or returning students. Parents, family members and educators are encouraged to attend. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from all 23 CSU campuses and learn about how to prepare best prepare for CSU admission.

Please join us in spreading the word about this year’s CSU College Nights. Share our promotional video

To register for one of the dates and locations listed below, visit www.calstate.edu/collegenights.

This year students will be able to launch their UC application from californiacolleges.edu and have their courses/grades transfer over. Come to flex to get help with this process.

When the UC Application asks for SSID# they are asking for your State ID from the top left of your transcript

The UC Application will ask multiple questions about whether you attended and will graduate from a California high school. Additionally, you will be asked “Do you want to be evaluated for California residency for tuition purposes?” ANSWER YES TO THIS QUESTION IF YOU DON’T WANT TO PAY OUT OF STATE TUITION.

The UC Application is now open for the Fall of 2025

Students can submit the application between Oct 1-Dec 2 2024

There will be flex workshops available and several UC are visiting Sequoia this fall.

Every UC has great information and tips on completing the application - Check out UCSB page

At this point, if you know you need a LOR, there are a few important things you can do.

1. Make sure you understand any specific LOR requirements for each college on your list (how many and do they have grade level or subject area requirements?)

2. Ask your teacher in person if possible or in an email.

3. If a teacher agrees, you can complete the Teacher LOR Survey on Naviance (it is a good practice to write your responses on a Google doc and transfer the information)

How to Access - Surveys From Your School (Counselor School Report, Teacher LOR, Upload Personal Statement, etc)

More specific information about officially requesting teachers on Naviance will be explained at the meeting on August 28th.

There is a specific process for Sequoia High School.

Please attend the grade level meeting August 28th

Official Class Size

Will be in the weekly newsletter SEPTEMBER 15th

1. Create a Common Application account
2. Add in Sequoia High School (052605) on the Education tab
3. Add at least one college to your account on the College tab
4. Sign FERPA Waiver located on the left hand side of the individual college

Our recommendation is that you Waive Your Rights because that is what colleges want you to do. Counselors and some teachers will not write a letter if you do not waive your rights.

What is the FERPA Waiver? (From Common Application website)

Since FERPA is a complex law, we want to provide some key information before you respond to the FERPA waiver question.

1. How does FERPA relate to your college application?

FERPA regulates the privacy of student education records, which could include your application to the college where you enroll. FERPA also gives you the right to review confidential letters of recommendation provided as part of that application after you enroll.

2. In the application you'll be asked if you want to waive the right to review confidential letters of recommendation. What you should know about this waiver?

• Waiving your right lets colleges know that you do not intend to read your recommendations, which helps reassure colleges that the letters are candid and truthful.

• Some recommenders may decline to write a letter for you if you do not waive your rights. Check with your counselor or teachers to see if any of them follow such a policy.

We will focus on the community college application process the second semester of school.

SAVE THE DATE: Community College Info Night and Fair will be February 6, 2025

The steps to enroll are different for each site. Go to the websites below for more information.

• Canada College: https://canadacollege.edu/admissions/new-student.php

• Skyline College: https://skylinecollege.edu/outreach/pep.php

• De Anza: https://www.deanza.edu/apply-and-register/index.html (not available for Fall 2025 until the spring)

• Foothill: https://foothill.edu/reg/admission/highschool.html (not available for Fall 2025 until the spring)
  

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

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: September 1st

ELIGIBLE GRADES: 11-12th

Scholarship for Juniors and Seniors Facing Financial Hardship and/or Challenging Cultural Circumstances. The scholarship hopes to inspire students to explore space biology.

DUE: September 10th

ELIGIBLE GRADES: 9-12th

Two Separate Scholarships

ESSAY Scholarship - How we can protect our democracy from becoming a theocracy and unite against religious bigotry $1000.00

VIDEO Scholarship: How can we protect our democracy from becoming a theocracy and unite against religious bigotry? $750.00

DUE: September 30h

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:9/2/2024

Grades Eligible: 9-12th

The (YCA) Leadership Program brings 9-12th grade students from across San Mateo County together to empower youth to take climate action into their own hands. Through the program, students will develop projects designed to drive change within San Mateo County and gain a diverse set of skills related to sustainability and climate action. WEBSITE

Are you interested in helping the environment? Do you want to see more sustainable practices at school and make greater changes outside of school clubs? If so, the SUHSD Sustainability Committee is the place for you!

We’re a student-led committee formed in 2021 when students declared a climate emergency to the school board. Since then, we’ve garnered support from teachers and administrators across the district and have successfully implemented more sustainable practices at schools.

One such project was the environmental literacy survey that students took a few years ago, which showed that an overwhelming majority of you all wanted to see more use of environmental literacy in their curriculums. Joining the SSC is one of the best ways to not only implement that change but also leave a lasting impact on your community!

To join our Google Group and stay updated, click this link. This year’s meetings will be scheduled according to this link. Our first meeting will be on September 10th, 6:15 - 7 PM via Zoom. Hope to see you there :)

If you have any questions, please feel free to let us know! The leadership team emails are Kara (811693@seq.org), Iris (816766@seq.org), Daniel (816339@seq.org), Supriti (816261@seq.org), and Alex (817304@seq.org).

APPLICATION DUE: Sept 16th

ELIGIBLE GRADES: 9-12th

Student education group - use your voice to educate the impact of tobacco use. Handout in the College/Career Center with QR Code. bit.ly/TEC_YAG

all year

Eligible Grades:9-12th

Volunteer to staff the Bookstore in the Downtown Library. This requires a 2-hour per week commitment. Volunteers chat with customers and accept payment. It's pretty fun and very easy volunteer opportunity. There are Saturday shifts plus shifts from 4 to 6 and 6 to 8 in the afternoon/evenings. WEBSITE

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

Due: 9/18/2024

15-18 years old

8-month service-learning program is for high school students aged 15-18 in the San Francisco Bay Area who are interested in working with marine mammals and educating the public about important ocean conservation topics.

Email youthcrew@tmmc.org if you have any questions. WEBSITE

Virtual Information Session (50 people max)

September 12 | 5:00pm-6:00pm | RSVP

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

September 10

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)

Sequoia Union High School District will submit your GPA to Cal Grant in September.

Make sure your Infinite Campus information (name and address) is correct to avoid matching problems. If something needs to be change, contact the counseling office

No Verification Form is needed AFTER submitting your FAFSA/Dream Application!

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