Sequoia College & Career Newsletter
Week of April 25 - May 1, 2021
Welcome Students & Families
Scroll through for important information regarding College/Career
How to reach us?
For general questions and inquiries please email us at sequoiaccc@seq.org
Student Appointments:
- Ms. Ignaitis, All HCA and Study Skills Students and Last names A-L
- Ms. Rocha, All DAA and ELD Students and Last names M-Z
Important Dates and Deadlines
- May 5 - Summer College Camp Informational Meeting (see Juniors section below for registration link)
- See Scholarships & Contests section below for a number of other opportunities and deadlines
Spring Presentations
During remote learning, the College and Career Center has done a number of presentations. Students can view a recording of all presentations including:
- The grade level College/Post Secondary Student Workshops,
- The Junior Private/Common Application Presentation
- The 9-11th Grade Financial Aid Presentation
All recordings are available on the College and Career webpage under Presentation Resources
VIRTUAL COLLEGE EVENTS
NACAC Virtual College Fairs are back
NACAC’s upcoming series of Virtual College Fairs
These sessions support all students, including seniors who have not yet applied. Students can prepare ahead of time by tagging the Zoom sessions they want to attend.
If your students can’t make it to the first event, there are more opportunities to join this spring:
International Universities College Fair
April 29, 7:00pm EDT
The Association of International Regional Representatives in North America (AIRR-NA) will be holding an International Universities College Fair on Thursday, April 29th, from 7:00pm-9:30pm EDT.
All interested students and counselors are welcome! To RSVP, please visit https://app.brazenconnect.com/a/AIRR/e/1qoQm
Six Colleges: Student Events
May 24 and 26th
six of the nation's top liberal arts colleges —Amherst, Bowdoin, Carleton, Pomona, Swarthmore, and Williams hosting two events for juniors and their families to help answer questions about the college search process. Students register here!
Juniors: Are you interested in getting a head start on the college process?
Join us for an informational meeting on our Summer College Camp on Wednesday, May 5 at 11:30am to learn about what we have planned during those days to support you in your college planning! We will go over the expectations, daily schedule and answer any questions you have. By joining College Camp over the summer you will be excused from two required meetings in the Fall of your senior year. Juniors will be able to officially sign up for camp during this meeting.
Juniors: Steps to request Letter of Recommendation (LOR) PRIOR to Completing the Naviance Teacher LOR Survey steps
As you begin to build your college list find out if you need letters of recommendation to apply.
Ask your teacher(s) virtually or through email if they would be willing to write you a strong letter of recommendation.
If they agree to write a LOR for you then proceed to complete the the Class of 2022 Teacher Letter of Rec survey in Naviance. (About Me, Surveys Not Started)
Part two in the Fall of your senior year: more details will be provided. Officially request teachers electronically in the Fall of your senior year in Naviance
For more detailed information please refer to our Spring 2021 Junior Presentation: Private/Common Application presentation slides.
Juniors: Information About Signing Up for SAT in the Future
Due to Covid 19, Sequoia was not allowed to offer the PSAT to our 11th graders in Oct or Jan along with the closing of many local SAT test centers, our administration decided to offer College Board School Day SAT in March and April. This was a gift to any junior who wanted to take the exam by our Foundation.
Moving forward, students will go back to registering for the SAT or ACT on their own through the College Board SAT and ACT websites
Colleges are in the process of deciding on their testing policies for the next admission cycle. Please always check the website of any school you are interested in applying to find out if a SAT or ACT is required. More and more are extending their test optional policies because of the continued issue of students not having full access to test centers.
VIRTUAL CAREER EVENTS/INFORMATION
FAPA Virtual Future Pilot Forum
Saturday, May 1, 11am
Register for the FAPA Virtual Future Pilot Forum to learn about pathways to professional pilot careers. Students of all ages, their parents, school counselors, non-aviation separating military personnel and career changers are invited. The event is FREE.
FAPA will be giving presentations and taking Q & A starting at 11am PST. You will receive a Zoom Webinar registration link upon registration on Eventbrite. It's a simple two-step process. To register click here.
All about Trade Apprenticeships
More than 80,000 women and men working in one of more than 800 occupations in California construction trades began as apprentices. To enter the building trades, you must start as an apprentice.
An apprenticeship is an excellent career choice if you
like to work with your hands
are willing to serve an apprenticeship for up to five years, depending on the trade
have dexterity, mechanical ability, problem-solving skills and the ability to work collaboratively with a team
want to earn a living wage and good benefits
want the opportunity to advance in your career
If you are interested in pursuing a trade apprenticeship, the following are great resources to begin your search and/or learn more about opportunities within California:
California Apprenticeship Coordinators Association website
Division of Apprenticeship Standards
Or if you are planning to do community college first, the following colleges have Career Technical Education and Certificates or trade apprenticeship partnership programs that offer instruction in several trades:
Districtwide Career Zooms
Doctor of Internal Medicine, Marina Di Bartolo
If you missed Dr. Di Bartolo's career zoom last week, you can view the recording here! Dr. Bartolo is a proud example of a DACA student who went on to work in the field of medicine. Atlantic Article.
She provided a resources for Dreamers (both DACA and undocumented students in this case) interested in going into medicine or health fields. It's called Pre-Health Dreamers and it was founded in the Bay but is trying to help students nationally. They have a bunch of resources, like an internship list.
Comprehensive/Holistic Review Explained
While grades and course selection rigor are always very important in an admission decision most private colleges and all of our UC use a Comprehensive Review or Holistic Process to admit students.
- Go to the website of a school you are considering attending and read about their evaluation process (including their adjustment for COVID-19 many who are also grading their current students with pass/fail).
Below is the UC system of reviewing applications:
Gary Clark, Director of Undergraduate Admissions at UCLA – told a group of counselors he constantly has to explain - If it was just test grades and test scores it would be a lot easier and why we would ask all the other information that takes so much time to review. He defends the comprehensive review process “I think the holistic review process at UCLA, in some ways, reflects the same kind of value of the individual that private colleges and universities place in their file review process as well looking beyond just numbers and understanding context and writing ability, family situation and leadership, each of which contribute significantly to the decision we might make.”
Learn more about UC's Application Reviews here: From the UC Website
I Can Afford College - Website Resource
The “I Can Afford College” campaign is a statewide, financial aid awareness initiative sponsored by the California Community Colleges. The campaign got its start back in 2004 shortly after enrollment fees were increased. The governor and the state legislature wanted to make sure Californians knew how to make college affordable, so they set aside money to create an awareness campaign about financial aid.
The site offers information about Grants, Loans, Scholarships and more!
The American Library of Poetry National Student Poetry Contest (all grades)
Deadline April 30
Poems are judged based on originality, creativity, and artistic quality. Poems not meeting the requirements for line limitation are automatically disqualified. Poems containing profanity, vulgarity or offensive material are automatically disqualified. To learn more and apply click here.
Summer Program or Contest: Do you need a transcript?
All transcript requests are on Naviance
Directions to Request an Official Transcript for a Scholarship or Program
Log in to your Sequoia Naviance account
Click the Colleges Tab (Right top corner)
Scroll down
Click on Manage Transcripts (Left hand side)
Click on the Red Plus Icon and choose Other Transcript
What Type Requesting? (Unless after graduation, click either Initial or Mid-Year)
What For? (Scholarship or Other)
Note: We do not send unofficial ACT/SAT
Click to watch a short How To Request a Transcript for a Scholarship or Program
There is a 5 SCHOOL day turn around to send the transcripts, so plan accordingly!
Concurrent Enrollment Information
How to Enroll:
Students who want to take a class at one of the local community colleges this summer should follow the detailed instructions on their High School Student webpage Visit the following sites for specific updates and information:
San Mateo County Youth Commission
Application Due: May 3
The Commission is recruiting youth for year 2021-22 and the application is open from April 2 through May 3, 2021. More information about the Youth Commission may be found on the website: https://cmo.smcgov.org/smcyc.
Freshman Leadership Opportunity with the National Hispanic Institute
The Great Debate Experience, or GDx, is a digital communications and leadership development program for ambitious and courageous young people. If you're committed to making meaningful change in your world, and you’re driven toward building up your community, NHI and the GDx is for you. If you are interested in this FREE opportunity email Ms. Rocha (nrocha@seq.org) for Registration Information.
JOB OPPORTUNITY
Summer Job: City of RWC’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department
The City of Redwood City’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department is looking for Camp Leaders, Assistant Camp Directors, Camp Directors who are interested in working 25-40 hours per week during the summer, planning, organizing and conducting basic recreation activities in a variety of settings
For a monthly list of Student Opportunities available click here
Girls That Code - Online Activities
They “release activities bi-weekly— some online, some offline, of varying levels of difficulty. Each activity features a woman in tech who pioneered innovative technology.” Click here for more information
EPATT (East Palo Alto Tennis and Tutoring)
EPATT is recruiting high school students for its College and Career Readiness (CCR) Program. At EPATT it is important to meet all of our students where they are academically and create a targeted plan for them. Our approach consists of academic support, one-on-one tutoring, mentoring, college/career advising and parent/family support. Our goal at EPATT is for all our students, to possess the academic and personal skills to be successful not only in college but in life.
EPATT is currently offering its programming through dynamic and engaging online classes and tutoring. Visit myepatt.org to check-out our offerings.
Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula
BGCP is seeking high school students who might be interested in supporting their in-person summer programs by interning. For more information contact Remi Sobomehin at remi@bgcp.org.
OTHER VIRTUAL EVENTS
Mindfulness - Teen Resource Center
All students are welcomed to join Ms. Judy from the Teen Resource Center (TRC) for 15 minutes of Mindfulness on Wednesdays! Practice breathing exercises and guided visualizations!
When: Every Wednesday
- Time: 12pm until 12:15pm
- Zoom Link: https://seq-org.zoom.us/j/92956681963
How To Videos for students now on our website!
All Newsletters Available Online!
9-11th Newsletter Contents April 18-24
- Announcements: Juniors: Signing up for the SAT in the Future and Letters of Recommendation information - Part II
- College Tip: FIVE ADMISSIONS TIPS - What to Do This Summer?
- Virtual College Events: College Board Big Future College Fair, WACAC College Fairs, NACAC College Fairs, Six Colleges, UCAS Discovery Days
- Other Virtual Events: Mindfulness Wednesdays
- Financial Aid- Financial Aid Basics - NACAC Resource
- Career Information - District Zoom Career Speakers: Doctor of Internal Medicine, Dietetian, and Biophysic
- Student Opportunities- Student-Led Opportunity on Climate Change, East Palo Alto Tennis Tutoring, Boys and Girls Club Summer Interns, Google Summer Apprenticeship, Norcal Youth Empowerment Conference, San Mateo County Youth Commission, Freshman Leadership Opportunity with National Hispanic Institute. Concurrent Enrollment Updates , and Girls That Code
- Scholarship/Contests - PTSA Junior Scholarship and The Am Library of Poetry National Student Poetry Contest
- Job Opportunities: RWC Parks and Recreation Summer Jobs