Senior Newsletter

Updated 8/20/2024

Welcome to Senior Year!

Workshops & Events

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Drop-In Tutorial Workshops: 11/8, 11/15, and 11/19

Get help with college apps (CSU, Common App, community college, UC), Naviance, or scholarship applications. Available in B17, C5, and C6.

SAT @ WHS: College Day 10/9/24 - Registration Form Coming Soon!

SAT Prep Exclusively for WHS Students

WHS is offering a free SAT prep course through our partnership with AJ Tutoring, funded by the WHS Foundation. If you’re interested in participating in the next cohort before the 10/9/24 SAT, please complete this form.

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 if you choose to appeal your admissions decision 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.

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.

College Scorecard

Dive into data about graduation rates, median salaries by major, and more.

Niche

Read student reviews about academic and social scene at hundreds of colleges.

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.

University of California

Use your personal email address to create your account and begin entering your information. Use your transcript for the Academic History section. Here are tips on the Personal Insight Questions.

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.***

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid Applications & Workshops: TBA

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.

Posse Bay Area: 4-Year Tuition Scholarship

Nominate yourself for a full-tuition scholarship if you are a leader who is passionate about your education and interested in attending one of the following colleges: Boston University, Lehigh University, St. Olaf's College, or University of Puget Sound.

Apply by 3:40 PM, 08/30/2024. Seniors, you must be logged in to your seq.org account to access this form.

Sequoia Awards: Due 10/31

Redwood City residents who have performed extensive & voluntary community service are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Essay, recommendation letter, & transcript are required.

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.

Increase Academic Rigor During Senior Year

Community College Concurrent Enrollment

Check out a subject that interests you or satisfy a graduation requirement while trying college now. WHS students can take up to 10 units at San Mateo County community colleges for free or 11 units at the Foothill-De Anza Community College District. Learn more about concurrent enrollment here.

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