Sequoia College & Career Newsletter
Week of October 25-31, 2020
Welcome Students & Families
Scroll through for important grade level announcements, dates/deadlines, virtual college visits/events, financial aid, Senior information, student opportunities, scholarships and more!
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
October 28 - CSU workshop
October 28, 29 - Common App workshop
October 29 - UC App workshop
November 3 - Senior Canada Community College Application Workshop (see Community College)
November 4 - Cash for College
Tuesdays, 4 pm! Have questions? Need help with College applications? Drop by College Club: Join us on zoom!
Mondays - Thursdays, 3:45 pm- Need homework help? Take advantage of the online tutoring sessions available through zoom!
DUE DATE
Nov 6th - LAST Day to Submit your SR/LOR form for application deadlines AFTER Dec 15th
The Future of College Admission: More Questions, A Range of Answers?
SUHSD Parent Ed Series
Oct 29th
The current president of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) will be interviewed by our local retired college advisor from M-A, Alice Kleeman. Parents, guardians, and students are welcome to attend! Spanish
Seniors: Get College Application Help
Do You Need Help With Your Applications?
This is an exciting time for all of you! The last thing we want is for the process to be stressful. Any senior that needs help with the college process can get step by step instructions for the Cal State, the University of California and Private School applications, and any other college processes! Get your questions answered, stress minimized, and have some fun virtually!
We want to support each and every one of you through this process! Below are three ways to get help:
- Drop in on zoom on Tuesdays for College Club or
- College Application Workshops Click here for days/times: PDF with workshop dates/times or
- Students can also make Individual Appointments via Calendly with college counselors by clicking on their corresponding counselor’s name above.
- Look at How To Videos (link and more info below)
Missed our Financial Aid Night?
If you missed our Financial Aid Night on Thursday, October 15 here are the documents that were shared for your reference:
Recording of the presentation in English can be found here
College Rep Visits This Week
SENIORS keep in mind that you should make every effort to attend College Rep visits hosted by Sequoia or another school in our district as it allows for a bit of an advantage to personally get to know the school’s admissions’ representatives - sometimes the very people who will be reading your applications!
Wed Oct 28 10:30 AM
Wed Oct 28 11:30 AM
Wed Oct 28 1:00 PM
Wed Oct 28 2:15 PM
FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising-Los Angeles Thu Oct 29 3:00 PM
Fri Oct 30 8:00 AM
Districtwide Virtual College Visits
All students are invited to attend Districtwide college informational meetings.
For a complete list and zoom links click here.
Virtual College Events (Information Sessions and Workshops)
UC Admissions Night
Oct 29
7 - 8:30 PM
Join UCB, UCSB, UCSD, UCD, and UCSC go over the UC System and do a live Q&A. Register Here
UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture - Interested in Studying VPA - Learn about the Portfolio Process
Multiple Dates Oct -Nov
Presentation on UCLA Arts undergraduate admissions, portfolio and audition requirements*, academics, and student life. https://www.eventbrite.com/o/ucla-school-of-the-arts-and-architecture-14588082732
Join Canadian Universities for a Virtual Information Session!
Oct 4 - Nov 4
Connect with 10 of Canada’s notable universities, Bishop's University, Dalhousie University, McMaster University, Mount Allison University, Ryerson University, St. Thomas University, University of Guelph, University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, York University Learn Everything you need to know about applying to and studying in Canada! Learn more and Register Here
University of Washington - Help with Coalition Application Webinars
Oct 8 - Nov 12
(Thursdays 4 - 5 pm)
Applying to UW? Hear directly from an admissions counselor about how to complete the Coalition Profile and get tips for essay writing and more. Learn more and register here.
Colleges of the Fenway (Northeastern, Emmanuel, MassArt, MCPHS, Simmons, Wentworth)
Nov 2
Learn more about Colleges of the Fenway at 7pm on Nov 2nd. Through a short presentation and Q & A opportunities with our five Admissions Counselors, you’ll learn all the ways our Boston institutions are unique. For more information about the colleges, visit: http://www.colleges-fenway.org/discovercof/
NACAC Virtual College Fairs
Nov 8
More than 600 colleges and universities will offer Zoom sessions and meetings. Students everywhere can log in, drop-in, and ask questions Register Here
Yale Virtual Sessions for Students in California
The Yale Admissions Office will be hosting online virtual events throughout the fall of 2020. Preregistration for all events is required. Learn more and register here!
OTHER VIRTUAL EVENTS
The Future of College Admission: More Questions, A Range of Answers?
SUHSD Parent Ed Series
Oct 29
12 pm - 1 pm
The current president of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) will be interviewed by our local retired college advisor from M-A, Alice Kleeman. Parents, guardians, and students are welcome to attend! Register Here
UC For You: Insights From Under-Represented Communities on UC Campuses
October 24
10 am - 12 pm
Students, parents, UC faculty and staff will share their experiences and insight on opportunities and options for students in the African-American, Native American, and ChicanX/LatinX communities on our campuses. This session is intended for students and their parents interested in learning about how UC campus's academic and affinity resource centers support and strengthen the history, culture and well-being of students of color Register Here
Teens Volunteer
For more information TeensVolunteer.org
Peer Mediators Club at Sequoia
Peer Mediators support students by teaching the club members conflict resolution skills. The students then apply the skills to help mediate conflicts that might arise amongst the student body. Learn more on the google link: https://sites.google.com/view/sequoia-peer-mediators/home
Youth Advisory Board at Sequoia
Energy Usage Reduction Challenge with Prizes!
Climate change is here, and it’s bad news: Catastrophes will continue unless we drastically reduce our emissions.
Do something for the planet by participating in our Energy Usage Reduction Challenge. Simply take a picture of you doing something to save energy and upload it to the google form to be entered in a raffle to win prizes like a solar phone charger, eco-friendly chocolate, and books!
The submission deadline is October 31st:
Sequoia High School PTSA: 2020-2021 Reflections Information
Students can fill out the Virtual Student Entry Form, upload their Reflections entry, and receive a confirmation that their submission was received. Remember, Reflections is not an art contest, it’s a student recognition program!
Theme for 2020-21: I Matter Because…
Submissions are due on Friday, November 13, 2020. For more information click here!
National Hispanic Institute (NHI)
The National Hispanic Institute (NHI), a 501(c)3 nonprofit, is actively seeking additional college/university and high school partners. NHI provides high school 9th-11th-grade Latinx/a/o students with opportunities to serve to reinforce students’ commitment to strong academic performance, expand their networks in higher education, and choice to make community civic leadership an important part of their overall development.
Visit their website to learn more about how to get involved!
OTHER INFORMATION
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
Do you want to vote but don't know how? - Message From the Teen Wellness Center
Do you want to vote but don't know how? Read our introduction for first-time voters! Learn how to register to vote online, with simple, understandable instructions, written by youth for youth!
Click this Link to the slideshow
California Middle-Class Scholarship and FAFSA Information
Financial Aid Fact – Did you know that the income cap for the California Middle-Class Scholarship has increased from $177,000 to $184,000? Keep in mind that the new cap applies to students enrolled in a CSU or UC during the 2020-21 year and the cap may increase for families applying for financial aid for the 2021-22 year. So all California families should apply, no matter what their income. For more information on financial aid at UC, please take a look at this short clip.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=701714360442422
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CFzhXLoJwaX/
7 Easy steps to the FAFSA
10 things you need to know about the California Dream Act
https://www.csac.ca.gov/sites/main/files/file-attachments/10_things_you_need_to_dream_act.pdf?1539992998College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile)
What is the CSS profile?
The CSS Profile is an online application that collects information used by nearly 290 private colleges and some public univerisity scholarship programs to award non-federal aid. (For federal aid you must complete the FAFSA, available Oct. 1 at fafsa.ed.gov.) Some colleges may require the CSS Profile from both biological/adoptive parents in cases of divorce or separation.
When do I complete the CSS Profile?
You may complete the CSS Profile as early as Oct. 1, 2020. You should submit no later than two weeks before the EARLIEST priority filing date specified by your colleges.
Who must complete the CSS Profile?
Check your colleges’ information to determine whether they require the CSS Profile. A list of participating colleges is also found on the CSS Profile Homepage.
How do I complete the CSS Profile?
You submit the CSS Profile at cssprofile.org. Once you signin, you will find a list of useful documents, such as your federal tax returns and other financial information that you’ll need to have at hand to complete the application. Help is provided within the application and additional help is available by chat, phone, or email by clicking “Contact Us” in the application.
For more information click here
General 4 Year College Information
Where’s my State ID?
Remember it takes up to 5 school days to process a transcript request Where’s my State ID?
The State ID can be found in the transcript printed by your counselor on the top left corner right underneath the GPA Summary.
Student Information
Student Number: xxxxxx Grade: 12
Birthdate: xx/xx/xxxx Gender: M/F
State ID: xxxxxxxxxx
Counselor: Counselor Name
Place of Birth: United States
Guardian: Name
Diploma Type:
Diploma Date:
GPA Summary
COMMON APPLICATION
Worried About School Documents Being Sent On-Time?
Process of Submitting Application and School Documents
Student Side of the Process
You submit your documents INDEPENDENTLY of your counselor and teachers– when you are ready to submit an application you do not have to wait for the school!
IF we send documents and you decide not to submit an application, it is ok they discard if not matched.
Counselor and Teachers Side of the Process
When counselors and teachers submit their documents for your 1st due date, they submit them to all the schools on your list
There is NO way we would know if you added a school, unless you complete another SR/LOR Form. Email your counselor for an additional form.
Do Not Worry About Teachers Completing LORs on Time.
Where it might be to your advantage to submit earlier than the due date, it is not necessary for our staff to complete their letters of recommendation earlier than the due date listed on Naviance. We take the completion of these documents very seriously!
Wondering, was your counselor’s documents (school report, LOR, transcript, and school profile) and/or teacher LOR submitted? (Two Ways to Check)
1. From Common Application Website:
You can check the status of your recommenders on each of your colleges' "Recommenders and FERPA" page under the "My Colleges" tab.
"Not Started" - the recommender has not yet begun your recommendation.
"Submitted" - your recommender has fully submitted your recommendation, and there is no further action required on their part.
Contact your teachers and/or counselor directly if still concerned.
Remember transcripts are included with the counselor report!
2. Naviance should have a green check when documents have been submitted
Go to Colleges I’m Applying to
Application Milestones
If close to the deadline, after checking that they are not submitted, a gentle reminder email is appropriate (but understand a lot of teachers submit on the deadline)
UC/CSU INFORMATION
Common UC & CSU Mistakes:
Selecting the Right Course
All Sequoia courses that are A-G eligible (they have a -P after the course on your transcript) will be listed on the CSU and UC applications - You never write in a course!
Selecting Correct Course Type
Select Course Type Dropdown – If a class gets IB or Honor status IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY appear when you add the name of the class. If you have to add the type, ALWAYS choose – none. For Example – History IB HL1 does not get IB type.
Sometimes the approved UC/CSU names are not the same – History IB HL1 is the junior year course and IB History of Americas HL2 is the senior year. If you are in a two-year course, look for HL1 for junior year and HL 2 for senior year.
Steps to Adding 8th Grade Algebra
Step 1: Add grade level
Step 2: Choose 8th Grade—on same bar Choose Sequoia High School (if you are attending SHS during 9th)
Step 3: Choose 2017-2018 school year
Step 4: Add class—Choose Algebra – Delete “P and numbers” - it should only say Algebra
Step 5: Choose Semester
Step 6: For grades selected Pass and Pass for each semester
Step 7: Go to Matching A-G and manually edit the section.
You might have to add the C in the matching section for 8th grade
Steps to Adding Summer Classes Correctly
Step 1: Click on Add Summer Courses (Each Summer should be entered in individually by grade level Add Summer Courses 1)
Note: If you took a summer class between 9th and 10th grade, the summer grade level should be set to 10th grade.
Step 2: Enter the course title (select from drop down menu as you begin to type)
Note: If you received two grades for your summer course, please enter the course title and then add ‘Summer 1’ or ‘Summer 2’ following the course title (Example: English – Summer 1 or English – Summer 2)
Step 3: Add Grades
Note: Summer courses should not be reported with Planned or In Progress
Step 4: Click the green checkmark to save.
CSU INFORMATION
CSUapply How to Enter Coursework using SHS classesFour Part Series
Part 1: CSUApply How to Enter Sequoia High School (Especially if you took a dance class)
Part II: Cal State Apply | High School Coursework Section Basic
Part III: Cal State Apply | High School Coursework Section: Summer School and D/F grades
Part IV: Cal State Apply | HS Coursework Section: Adding 8th Grade Foreign Language and/or Math
CSU and IB Exams
CSUapply: Listing IB Exams from Ms McCahon
COMMUNITY COLLEGE INFORMATION
Canada College Application Workshop: Get an Early Start
Nov 3@ 3-4pm
The Canada application is open for you to get an early start. If you know you are going to Canada next fall, this is a great opportunity to get this step done early.
To attend please sign up on Naviance in the Colleges Tab under “College Visits”
Sign Up Directions:
1. Click on College Tab “Home”
2. Scroll to “College Visits”
3. Click on “Sign up” Link next to Canada College Application Workshop
4. Click on “Sign Me Up” Box
5. Ask your 3rd period teacher permission to leave class the week before
HAVE YOUR Social Security Number if you have one! If you don’t, it is ok!
SENIOR Scholarship of the Week!
The 2021 Elks Most Valuable Student contest is open, applicants will be judged on scholarship, leadership, and financial need. The Elks National Foundation will award 500 four-year scholarships to the highest-rated applicants in the 2021 competition. Ranging from $1,000 per year to $12,500 per year, Most Valuable Student scholarships are for students pursuing a four-year degree, on a full-time basis (minimum of 12 semester hours), in a U.S. college or university. All scholarships are in the form of certificates of award conditional upon the full-time enrollment of the winner in an accredited U.S. college or university. To learn more and apply click here: https://www.elks.org/scholars/scholarships/mvs.cfm
How to Request a Transcript for a Scholarship on Naviance
Go to Colleges tab
Go to Apply to College (in black not Colleges I’m Applying to)
Go to Manage Transcripts
Click on the red +
Add the scholarship information
Remember it takes up to 5 school days to process a transcript request!
How To Videos for students now on our website!
All Newsletters Available Online!
Oct 4-10 2020 Newsletter
Demonstrated Interest - The Good and Bad Articles
FAFSA ID
UC - How to Present Yourself
CSU - Researching Majors
Oct 11-17 2020 Newsletter
Reimagining the Application Process Under Covid-19
CSU - College- Dual Enrollment Coursework
UC - What leadership looks like? IB Exams
Common Application - The Interview
FA- Net Price Calculator and Creating FAFSA ID
Oct 18-24 2020 Newsletter
General 4 YR - College Deadlines for Submitting Documents - Every School is Different
Private - How to Enter Your Coursework on the Common Application
UC - Maximizing use of the "Additional Comments" sections
CSU - CSU Campus Match tool
Community College Virtual Events
Financial Aid - Missed Financial Aid night? Recording available
Student Opportunities - YAB, Women in Engineering
Scholarship - How to Request a Transcript for a College