Senior College & Career Newsletter

Scroll through for important information regarding College/Career

How to reach us?

For general questions and inquiries please email

Ms Ignaitis: tignaitis@seq.org

and/or

Ms Yeager: tyeager@seq.org

Please do not use the link at the bottom of this Newsletter to contact us

College Visits at Sequoia Start This Week! (see below)

UPCOMING EVENTS/DUE DATES:

Sept 5- First College Visit at Sequoia!

Sept 14- CSF Application Due (see info below)

Sept 17 - Class of 2024 Size will be Announced in Newsletter

Sept 22 - SR/LOR Form Due for Students Applying to Common App School Due Before Dec 15

Tuesdays 4-5 PM

This Tuesday we will go over how College Club can help this application period!

If you need help applying to college, please come to College Club every Tuesday from 4-5.

If you have a sport or job after-school, please come see us in the College and Career Center to make other arrangements.

Our goal is to get something done every week and we hope to see you there!

If you have questions, please come to College and Career Center

Wednesday, Sept 13

There was an overwhelming number of students who said “yes” on the Senior Post Secondary Survey to attend a UC Application Workshop.

During the two hour workshop, students will complete the Academic History and Test Scores sections. Ignaitis/Yeager will go over general tips and answer questions for the Activities & Awards, Scholarships & Programs, and Additional Information sections.

If interested, please complete this short RSVP form by Tuesday, Sept 12th at the end of the school day. (You must use your school email address)

If you missed the Grade Level 4YR College & IB Meeting on August 30th

The grade-level presentation in English and Spanish ( without the recording) and handouts are available on the Sequoia College and Career webpage.

DUE: Sept 14th 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 2023 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 29th-September 14th 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!

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.

1) IB Course Drops are permitted starting August 23rd. Please contact or visit your assigned counselor to review the required form and process.

2) Edgenuity credit recovery lab will reopen on August 22nd at 4pm with Mr. Calles in Room B-8. The Edgenuity lab will be open weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4pm-6pm in Room B-8. Please contact your assigned counselor if you are not sure if you need to complete Edgenuity credit recovery.

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

The George Washington University

Tue Sept 5 10:30 AM

University of Denver

Tue Sept 5 2:00 PM

Seton Hall University

Fri Sept 8 10:00 AM

St. John's College

Fri Sept 8 11:00 AM

Washington State University

Tue Sept 12 9:30 AM

University of Miami

Wed Sept 13 7:30 AM

Macalester College

Wed Sept 13 8:00 AM

Boston University

Wed Sept 13 9:30 AM

Gettysburg College

Wed Sept 13 10:00 AM

Lafayette College

Thu Sept 14 8:00 AM

University of Southern California

Thu Sept 14 8:30 AM

Colby College

Thu Sept 14 9:30 AM

The University of British Columbia

Thu Sept 14 10:30 AM

Texas Tech University

Thu Sept 14 11:00 AM

Northwestern University

Thu Sept 14 2:00 PM

Oregon State University

Mon Sept 18 8:00 AM

Hawaii Pacific University

Mon Sept 18 2:00 PM

Congressman Kevin Mullin is hosting a Military Service Academy Information Night

Wednesday, September 6th

5:30-7:00PM

Registration Form

1528 South El Camino Real, Suite 307

San Mateo, CA 94402

This event is for high school students who are interested in attending a military academy and who would like to learn about the nomination process. Representatives from the Military Academies - U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy West Point, U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy - will be presenting and available to answer questions.

Go here to see an example of admissions to West Point

Sept 9. 22, and 29

Join Student Financial Services from Saint Louis University as we discuss the Financial Aid process and answer your questions regarding paying for a college education.

To register and get more information go to their website

Sunday, Sep. 10

Join members of the admissions committees from Emory University, Johns Hopkins University, University of Notre Dame, and Washington University in St. Louis for an in-person information session featuring four of the top research institutions in the U.S. Register Here

Sept 11th - Virtual

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.

To register and for more information.

A great opportunity to learn about small liberal arts colleges!

Sept 20

Penn State offers a variety of programs for you and your family to attend to connect with admissions representatives and to learn about the opportunities Penn State has to offer.

Register Here

Drexel is offering a monthly series of online events designed to help guide students, families, and counselors through important steps of the college application process. Starting August 31st.

• Writing Personal Statements for Your College Application - Sept 21

• Crafting Your Portfolio for College Success - Oct 20

• Exploring Your Academic Interests - Nov 17

To register and get more information go to their website

While your transcripts are the most important admission factor for the majority of colleges, a lot look at factors beyond the classroom. If you are thinking about applying to a private or UC, they have areas on their applications to include activities like extracurriculars, community service, and work.

Every semester it is a good idea to update your Naviance resume as a way to keep organized and assess your goals.

Keep organized by entering all of your activities and accomplishments in your Naviance Resume.

Super Important Step: Write a reflection of the activity in the DESCRIPTION BOX

Include:

Why do you do this activity/What do you get from this activity?

What did you learn from this activity?

Are you making an impact in school or in your community? (use concrete examples- fundraised 300.00 instead of just “fundraised)

THEN

After you enter in all of your information, reflect on how these activities/awards will help you reach your long-term goals.

Small actions, over the course of time, are evidence of your commitment and responsibility to what you care about.

Does your resume include community service?

If you are thinking about applying for scholarships as a senior, a lot of the local scholarships are based on a sustained community service activity. It is not about collecting hours but showing you are committed to the program of your choice.

We will go over the process on how to request official transcripts at the Senior Grade Level 4yr College/IB Meeting on August 29th

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

CSU What to Do Until Application Opens Oct 1st

One of the first questions on the application is-what the major are you applying for?

Majors/Degrees

All of the CSU are not the same and sometimes they have different names for the same subject area. Figure out HERE what degree you are applying for each school on the CSUapply website.

First Time Freshman Supplemental Factors by Campus

The UC application for fall 2024 opened August 1. UC encourages students to spend ample time on their application, developing each section to reflect the accomplishments, challenges, opportunities and talents of each student within their own family, school and community context.

The UC application provides built-in help and support throughout each section of the application. Applicants can view answers to their commonly asked questions on each page of the application by clicking ‘Help’ on the top navigation bar or by clicking on the blue ‘i’ icons seen throughout the application. Students needing further assistance can contact the UC Application Center via phone or email. The center is available Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (Pacific Time).

• (800) 207-1710 (within the U.S.)

• (925) 298-6856 (outside the U.S.)

• ucinfo@applyucsupport.net (email)

Evaluation for California Residency

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.

SSID # (State ID)

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

In order for you to get the required school documents sent to any Common Application and/or Private College, you must complete the Sequoia process for sending your School Report and Letters of Recommendation. Counselors will be hosting meetings during the next few weeks. In case you did not sign up last week in your social studies class, here on the times for this week:

Sept 5

Before school: MG, Tea Garden Conference Room

Lunch: JR, Tea Garden Conference Room

After 5th: MP, Tea Garden Conference Room

After 7th: PV, Tea Garden Conference Room

Sept 7 FLEX

1 session: JR, Tea Garden Conference Room

Sept 8 FLEX

1 session: MP, Tea Garden Conference Room

The due date to submit this form to your counselor for application due dates before Dec 15 is Friday Sept 22nd

Refer to the Grade Level Meeting slides on the College and Career webpage for more details.

Sept 15th

All Grades

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. Go here to apply and learn more.

September 16 & 17th

First Alarm Fire Camp is a free 2-day daytime fire experience camp designed to help ignite the spark in any girl who might be considering a career in the fire service. Our instructor cadre is entirely staffed by female firefighters because if you see it, you may realize you can actually be it! Check out the fire camp link in our signature for more details on what we do.

YOU MUST REGISTER!

The 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 from 4-6pm in Redwood City

If you are interested, email, call or text Mason Lok

650 474-1394 mlok@smcgov.org

Pick up a flier in the College and Career Center

• Sign-up NOW

• Classes start September 25th

Fall 2023 classes:

• Game Art & Design (CRN 21673)
• UI/UX Design (CRN 20530)
• Graphic Design (CRN 20134)

The classes are:

• FREE to all high school students through the dual enrollment program at Foothill College.

• Completely asynchronous, students don’t come to campus

• Earn 4-units of college credit, transferable to UC/CSU.

Enroll here https://www.foothill.edu/hs/

Can Apply All Year

All Grades

Rhizome, a nonprofit organization built by and for students, is offering a community service, leadership, and civic engagement opportunity through their Civic Service Fellowship. Their website includes info on how the Fellowship boosts mental health determinants, leadership skills, and community connectedness while making an impact and receiving service hours. Check it out if you’re interested in civics, service leadership, or learning how to make a genuine impact.

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

September 12

October 10

November 7

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)

Must be 16yr+

Help families able to stay close to their sick children

Families with critically ill children are going through some of the hardest moments of their lives. By helping us keep our programs running smoothly, hosting in-kind drives or fundraisers, and spreading the word, you make it possible for families to keep their focus on their children

Year long opportunities to volunteer

For more information, click here for their website

The United States Military is part of the Department of Defense, the largest employer in the world. There are opportunities to work full-time or part-time, get a degree or participate in hobbies, travel the world or sit at a desk.

From Careers in the Military:

Like a gap year, trade school, or college, the Military is an option. And just like the others, it is not one-size-fits-all. You've probably heard of the five service branches, but did you know there are actually 12? Each offers unique jobs, benefits, and time-commitment options that give you the flexibility to live the life you want. Go here for more information on each branch of service.

Like any other career, you can work (or serve) while you go to school (or go to school while you serve). You can sit behind a desk or travel the world. You can take vacations. You can enjoy your hobbies and downtime with family and friends, all while earning a paycheck and getting invaluable experience.

Members of the U.S. military service maintain the U.S. national defense. Although some service members work in occupations specific to the military, such as fighter pilots or infantrymen, many work in occupations that also exist in the civilian workplace, such as nurses, doctors, and lawyers. There are thousands of careers in the military.

For more information and to explore careers in the military, please go here.

Updated scholarship list for September deadlines is available on the College and Career page on the school website for all grades.

Application Due: Sept 8

Covers Full-Tuition

Maintain a minimum, cumulative, unweighted GPA of a 3.7/4.0 scale or equivalent in their high school studies;

Be a full citizen of the United States of America;

Be in the high school graduating Class of 2024, planning to enroll in a full-time course of study towards a degree at an accredited four-year U.S. college or university for the full academic year following high school graduation;

Show proven excellence in extracurricular activities, be motivated leaders with a strong work ethic, demonstrate active participation in community service and/or civic minded arenas; and

For More Information

September 16th

All Grades

For CA high school students interested in free speech, science, and the separation of church and state; be involved in, or leaders of, community organizations or school clubs. Essay Contest Prompt: "Why is science education important?"

Application Due: Sept 26th

Are you a low-income high school senior who has excelled academically, but feels that the nation’s best colleges are financially out of reach? The QuestBridge National College Match can be your pathway to a top college. Through this college and scholarship application process, you can apply for free to the nation’s best colleges and be considered for early admission and a full four-year scholarship. To find out more visit QuestBridge’s website. Applications due Sept. 26th.

California Freethought Day

September 16th

All Grades

For CA high school students interested in free speech, science, and the separation of church and state; be involved in, or leaders of, community organizations or school clubs. Essay Contest Prompt: "Why is science education important?"

Footsteps Child Care, located in Belmont and Redwood Shores, is a not for profit organization that has been operating for almost 30 years. Next school year we will be providing after school programming for a large group of underserved students, TK to sixth grades and need to hire around 30 additional staff members. You must be either 18 years old or a high school graduate to work for us.

Pick up a flier in the College and Career Center

16 years and older

Will be here on campus Monday August 28th at lunch.

Super Soccer Stars is currently looking for Part-Time assistant and Lead Coaches in the Bay Area for their Fall season (Paid training available starting immediately).Current Openings: https://apply.workable.com/super-soccer-stars/j/52A1133161/

Minimum Age Requirement: 16yrs

Part-time work is available teaching group Piano Classes and Ukulele 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

Pick up a flier in the College and Career Center

No Experience required, Entry level

Paid Minimum Wage

Looking for students with good math and reading skills who are available to work Tuesday and Fridays 3-7pm. If interested email at lihueiw@yahoo.com or text at 650-799-4099

Pick up a flier in the College and Career Center

Minimum Age Requirement: 16yrs

Duties: Filing, Telephones, Giving Appointments etc.

Timings: After School and Weekends

Contact: Walk-in Siva Cherukuri DDS 198 Arch St Redwood City (Across the street from Sequoia HS) or email: sivasch@hotmail.com

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

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 20-26, 2023

Aug 27-Sept 2, 2023 CSF, How and Why to Sign Up for a College Visit