Sequoia College & Career Newsletter
Week of April 11 - April 17, 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
April 13 - School Day SAT for Juniors. Juniors that signed up for the SAT School Day for Tuesday, April 13 - check your email for important information/details for test day.
April 25 - Sequoia PTSA Junior Scholarship Due - see Scholarship Section for details
Letter of Recommendation Help - How Can My Teacher Write a Good Letter During Covid Virtual Learning
Some students are worried about getting letters of recommendations from teachers who have only taught them virtually. Admission Directors from St Olaf, Carleton, and Macalester had the following advice;
What information do we find most valuable in a Letter of Recommendation?
We want a better understanding of how a student “shows up” in a learning environment whether in person or virtually. They look for how they did their work and how responded to virtual world
(They received helpful letters in the fall under virtual conditions)
Examples of in class dialog or assignments
(That is why it is important to document examples you feel are important in your Naviance Teacher LOR Survey)
Examples of how a student “goes through” a challenge in a class
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
University of Chicago
Multiple Events in April
University of Chicago is offering multiple types of events including: general information session, financial aid sessions, student salon (current students speak to high school students), virtual campus tours and department events. There are also sessions in Spanish
Click Here to see what is available - If you are interested in University of Chicago, you should attend some of these events - they really value - Why you want to attend their college!
Cal Poly 28th Annual Open House
April 8 - April 15
There will be numerous opportunities to learn about programs, campus resources, and clubs at Cal Poly in addition to chances to interact with current students along with other prospective students. For a closer look at the weekend’s events, please see their website
College Board Big Future College Fair (new dates)
BigFuture Day Midwest – April 18th
BigFuture Southeast – April 29th
Coalition’s Virtual College Fairs
April 14 & 15
The Coalition will host two fairs this spring, the first April 14 & 15, and the second May 19 & 20. The fairs are free, and students and student supporters are welcome to register for as many sessions as they like.
Learn more about the fairs: coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/fairs
California Association of IB World Schools
College2Careers Virtual Fairs
April 15 and April 16
To Learn more and register click here: https://create.piktochart.com/output/52091812-copyc2c-spring-2021-copy
WACAC Virtual College Fairs
For all students throughout California & Nevada
Monday, April 19, 2021 @ 5:00 - 7:45 PM
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:
Six Colleges: Student Events
April 20 and 22nd
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!
UC Berkeley Haas School of Business
April 13 6-7pm
Are you interested in applying to Haas School of Business, at the University of California Berkeley? If so, get an early start to preparing your application by joining The Latino Business Student Association (LBSA) and The Raíces Recruitment and Retention Center to hear from and ask questions to Latinx Haas students about their experiences applying to Haas. The event will be a brief Q&A panel followed by breakout sessions with a Haas student. Hope to see you on April 13th from 6-7 pm! Please fill out the RSVP link here: https://tinyurl.com/LatinxHaas
VIRTUAL CAREER EVENTS
Districtwide Career Speakers in April
Doctor of Internal Medicine, Marina Di Bartolo
April 19 at 1:30pm
Dr. Di Bartolo is a proud example of a DACA student who went on to work in the field of medicine. Atlantic Article
Students must pre-register here. Once you register you will receive an email with the zoom link to attend.
Careers for Art Majors: Four jobs people are doing with their degrees
Art Therapy – Work with children and adults with disabilities and/or have gone through a traumatic experience. “Art therapy is a way for people to express emotions when they don’t have the word”
EDUCATION: Master of Science, Major – Art Therapy
Graphic Designer – Companies either hirer their own or contract one to design everything from websites to emails
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design
Exhibit Designer – Designing and maintaining exhibits. Industrial designers develop the concepts for manufactured goods for everyday use.
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Industrial Design
Video Game Art Director – Work with game writers and designer to create 2D and 3D visual concepts
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Illustration and Graphic Design
Resource site to share?
College Tip: Why take a Concurrent Enrollment Class?
Using Community College Classes to Strengthen your College Applications
Some students spend a lot of money on summer programs to enhance their college applications. Although these programs are not bad, students think they can have an edge in the admissions process by attending a prestigious college program but most of the college summer programs have no connection to the school’s admission process. Taking the initiative to use local resources to take a college class through concurrent enrollment is just as impressive and FREE! Having college courses on your application makes it stand out and can show you are capable of a higher academic level of work.
Possible Credit for College
If the class states it is UC/CSU transferable, there is a good chance you will get credit at a four-year college that can save you some money and time in the future. Note, not all colleges allow students to bring in credit. It is up to the individual college as well as the major whether or not they will take the credit.
Take a Class Not Offered at Sequoia High School
There might be a subject you are interested in not offered at Sequoia or a subject you are particularly strong in and want to challenge yourself beyond our high school offerings. Both are good reasons to take a concurrent enrollment course at community college. Learning for learning's sake is a sought after quality!
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:
Canada College Concurrent Enrollment (next information session is 4/22 at 1:30pm)
- To join the zoom workshop click here
College of San Mateo Concurrent Enrollment
Cal State Pays
Check out this California State University resource: https://calstatepays.org/#/
and learn more about:
Information from 7 Southern California CSUs.
Find out earnings for different majors after CSU graduation
Explore where CSU graduates work and what they earn
What’s the return on a CSU education?
Ninth Circuit Civics Contest
Deadline: April 15th (Date Extended)
An essay and video contest for high school students in the western United States and Pacific Islands. 2021 Topic: What Does our American Community Ask Us For?
We The Students Essay Contest
Deadline: April 15
Below From Bill of Rights Institute Website:
“We the Students” essay contest, you could win prizes just for sharing your thoughts on these issues! Each year, We the Students gives 8-12th-grade students from across the U.S. a chance to share their perspectives on a trending topic. Essay Prompt: What is the relationship between Equality and Justice? For more information click here.
PTSA Junior Scholarships
Deadline: April 25th
Applications for our annual PTSA Junior Scholarships are now being accepted. Applications are due by Sun, April 25, 10:00 p.m. There are three categories of scholarships: academic success, community service, and achievement in the face of socio-economic challenges. We have 20 scholarships to offer, each worth $250. This is a great way for juniors to get a head start on college applications, to be recognized for all they’ve done to make Sequoia a better place, and to earn some extra money to continue their education!
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!
For a monthly list of Student Opportunities available click here
Student-Led Opportunity on Climate Change
April 15 and April 22nd
Climate NOW, a youth-led organization dedicated to educating and empowering youth to take climate action is hosting a 4-part Climate Action Crash Course Webinar Series. The webinars will provide attendees with a safe haven for learning about the causes of global warming and the impacts of climate change. Discussions will include careers in climate action and talks on the future of activism. Webinars will last for approximately 45 minutes each on Zoom.
Climate Action Crash Course webinar for AGES 15 - 21
Thursday April 15th 4pm PST/7pm EST
Climate Action Crash Course Earth Day webinar for ALL AGES
Thursday April 22nd 4pm PST/7pm EST
San Mateo County Youth Commission
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. To apply, visit: https://cmo.smcgov.org/webform/county-san-mateo-youth-commission-application
Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) Presents--Youth Leadership Institute (9-11)
DUE APRIL 9
YLI is a free, five-day, college empowerment program for high achieving Latino high school juniors held at two top universities across the US This highly selective program is designed to give young leaders the practical tools they need to successfully apply to top universities. Attendees will enhance their leadership abilities and expand their professional networks.
Freshman Leadership Opportunity with the National Hispanic Institute
Apply by April 23
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.
Interested in Politics or Studying Political Science?
Rishi Kumar for Congress Fellowship program
Find a unique opportunity this summer by applying today to an internship program. Get involved in a high energy campaign by joining the Rishi Kumar for Congress Fellowship program. To join the internship, submit your info at RishiKumar.com/Fellowship and you will be invited to a short interview. We highly recommend applying early and leveraging the early opportunity to showcase your skills before the summer madness and competitive landscape.
Josh Becker is the newly elected California State Senator for the 13th District
Although they do not have a formal internship system right now, Senator Becker’s Nicole Fernandez said “Any interested parties can email me their resume if interested, and I will be in touch once we are looking for interns. They can reach me at nicole.fernandez@sen.ca.gov.”
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
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 March 28 - April 10, 2021
Announcements: Grade Level Post Secondary Presentations: Important information for Sophomores, Spring Presentation Slides Available
- College Tip: From Reed College, Choosing with Confidence and Why to Choose a Small College, Event to Help You Choose a College - Oklahoma State University Junior Day
- Virtual College Events: Cal Poly 28th Annual Open House, College Board Big Future College Fair, California Association of IB World Schools, WACAC College Fairs, NACAC College Fairs
- Other Virtual Events: Mindfulness Wednesdays, TeenTechSF- Entrepreneurship Speaker Series
- Financial Aid- Two Website to Research: Return on Investment
- Career Information - Careers for Art Majors: Four jobs people are doing with their degrees
- Student Opportunities- Student-Led Opportunity on Climate Change, East Palo Alto Tennis Tutoring, Boys and Girls Club Summer Interns and EngineerGirl, Rishi Kumar for Congress Fellowship program, Josh Becker is the newly elected California State Senator for the 13th District Internship, Sequoia Mindfulness Training
- Scholarship/Contests - Ninth Circuit Civics Contest and We the Students Essay Contest, PTSA Junior Scholarship
- Job Opportunities: RWC Parks and Recreation Summer Jobs