Senior College & Career Newsletter
Week of August 21- 27, 2022
Welcome Students & Families
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 Next Week! (see below)
College Club Information Next Week!
Students Applying to Four-Year Colleges?
PLEASE ATTEND the Grade Level Meeting on Zoom , Tuesday, August 30 for students and families More information below.
Important Dates and Deadlines
UPCOMING EVENTS/DUE DATES:
Aug 26 - Last day to contact counselor about errors on your current transcript
Aug 26 - Last day to turn-in concurrent enrollment transcript to add to your current transcript
Aug 30 - Senior Grade Level IB/4 Year College Meeting
Aug 30 - First College Visit at Sequoia!
Oct 7 - Senior Financial Aid Evening
Senior Annual Grade Level IB/4 Year College Bound Meeting
August 30th - 6-730 PM
The annual Four-Year College/IB meeting for students and parents/guardians is specifically focused on senior year application and IB process at Sequoia
Ms. McCahon (IB Coordinator) will go over the requirements, deadlines and procedures for the IB Program and IB Diploma.
Ms. Ignaitis/Ms. Yeager (College/Career Advisors) will present information about applying to Four Year Colleges including UC,CSU, Common Application, Out of State Public Colleges, and Coalition. Some of the other topics include:
How to Officially Request Transcripts if Needed
Early Action/Early Decision
Letters of Recommendation that are specific to Sequoia.
All GRADE LEVEL MEETINGS will be:
On Zoom from 6pm -730pm in English
Presented separately for Spanish speaking parents/guardians at 7:00pm
Recorded and posted on the SHS College and Career website
Links will be available on the SHS Calendar and in the Weekly Newsletter
Zoom links are below and on the Sequoia Homepage Calendar.
Senior Portrait Information
College Visits and Beyond and How to Sign Up for a College Visit at Sequoia Signing Up for a College Visit at Sequoia High – READ CAREFULLY
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 “College” 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, permission to leave their class during the time listed on Naviance. IF OK, go to Step 3.
*STEP 3: EITHER PRINT YOUR CONFIRMATION PAGE from your Naviance account
*STEP 4: Have your teacher SIGN THE Confirmation Page or a your pass BEFORE YOU LEAVE CLASS. If you do not a have a signed pass, you will not be admitted.
*You can also show it to your teacher on your phone and have a teacher sign a piece of scratch paper if 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 visit
How To Video - Sign Up for a College Visit at Sequoia
From The Counseling Office
Seniors Please Check your Transcript for Errors
By August 26th
If needed, contact your counselor to make changes.
Seniors Submitting Concurrent Enrollment Transcripts
Due Aug 26th
Seniors, if you want a concurrent enrollment course added to your Sequoia High School transcript, you have until Friday, August 26th.Please submit an official transcript from the institution where you completed your concurrent enrollment course to the Counseling Office.
Please email your counselor if you are not sure if you need to add your concurrent enrollment course to your Sequoia High School Transcript.
Sequoia High School College Visits
Naviance is currently displaying the incorrect (AM or PM) on the College Visit list - once you register, you can see the correct (AM or PM)
Washington State University
Tue Aug 30, 8:30 AM
University of Utah
Tue Aug 30, 11:30 AM
Boston University
Fri September 2, 10:00 AM
Whitman College
Fri September 9, 8:30 AM
Lehigh University
Fri September 9, 11:00 AM
OTHER COLLEGE EVENTS
“8 of the Best Colleges” Small Liberal Arts Colleges
Sept 12th or 13th
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!
Expert College UC PIQ Tips from Alice Kleeman at the RWC Public Library
Aug 24th @ 6 PM
From Alice Kleeman, presenter: "My emphasis is always on lowering students’ stress level in relation to applying to college." The session is for high school seniors only, not students at other grade levels or parents. Students who plan to attend must pre-register, click here.
GENERAL FOUR YEAR COLLEGE INFORMATION
Visiting Colleges is a Great Way to Figure Out What Type of College Is Best for You!
There are some highly selective small colleges visiting SHS in the coming weeks. It can relieve a lot of stress going into your senior year if you understand what TYPE of college would be best for you. They are all different and many offer merit aid to make it more affordable.
It doesn't matter if you go to that school, you are just learning about the differences
Apply by major? Core Curriculum v Open Curriculum? % of graduates who get into Medical School? Schools where 75% of the students double major? How these schools prepare you for a job.
College Visits are 30 minutes but you can learn a lot
Specific Four Year College Information By Type
CSU INFORMATION
The CSU Application YOU NEED AS A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL will not be available until October 1st
As a first time freshman, you will need to choose Fall of 2023
If you apply now using Spring of 2023, you application will not be considered.
UC INFORMATION
The UC Application is now open for the Fall of 2023
Students can submit the application between Oct 1-Nov 30 2022
There will be workshops available
Every UC has great information and tips on completing the application - Check out UCSB page
COMMON APPLICATION INFORMATION
If planning on applying to schools require LOR or a School Report by your counselor you should;
- Create a Common Application account
- Add in Sequoia High School (052605) on the Education tab
- Add at least one college to your account on the College tab
- Sign FERPA Waiver located on the left hand side of the individual college
Our recommendation is that you Waive Your Rights because that is what colleges want you to do. Counselors and some teachers will not write a letter if you do not waive your rights.
What is the FERPA Waiver? (From Common Application website)
Since FERPA is a complex law, we want to provide some key information before you respond to the FERPA waiver question.
1. How does FERPA relate to your college application?
FERPA regulates the privacy of student education records, which could include your application to the college where you enroll. FERPA also gives you the right to review confidential letters of recommendation provided as part of that application after you enroll.
2. In the application you'll be asked if you want to waive the right to review confidential letters of recommendation. What you should you know about this waiver?
Waiving your right lets colleges know that you do not intend to read your recommendations, which helps reassure colleges that the letters are candid and truthful.
Some recommenders may decline to write a letter for you if you do not waive your rights. Check with your counselor or teachers to see if any of them follow such a policy.
Common App Tab Education Section
College Tab Recommenders and FERPA Section
COMMUNITY COLLEGE INFORMATION
Thinking about “I want to be a….” O’NET Can Help You Figure Out Your Future Career
O’NET Online is a great resource to help you try to figure out your future career. Their database nation’s primary source of job information that gives you detailed and updated information about the world of work. It also has some assessments to help you learn about your interests and skills.
FAFSA Opens Oct 1st - Get Your FAFSA ID Now (Student and One Parent/Guardian)
What is an FSA ID?
It is a username and password combination that allows you to sign your FAFSA form electronically. Your FSA ID also can be used to access the myStudentAid app, sign loan contracts, and access certain information online.
Why do I need one, if I haven’t started the FAFSA Application?
Getting it ahead of time and using it to begin your FAFSA form on fafsa.gov or on the myStudentAid mobile app cuts down on errors and delays.
Does my parent(s)/Guardian(s) need to get one too?
If you’re a dependent student, one of your parents whose information is reported on the FAFSA form will also need an FSA ID so that he or she can sign your application electronically. (It is ok if your parents/guardians do not have SSN)
Where do I go to get an FSA ID?
Get started here!
FAFSA opens Oct 1 but it is quicker to complete if you have a FAFSA ID before you start.
The most important step is that you physically have your Social Security Card with you to make sure create your FAFSA with the exact name and number on your card!
RESOURCES
For Help creating a FAFSA ID, watch the short video clip on the College and Career How To webpage
Click on the purple buttons below for more information about FAFSA, CA Dream, and CSS Profile
Other Resource: 7 Easy Steps to the FAFSA: click here
Interested in Studying Space Science? Scholarship for Juniors and Seniors Facing Financial Hardship and/or Challenging Cultural Circumstances
Application Due: Sept 15th
Applications are open for the The American Society for Gravitational and Space Research (ASGSR) Inspiration Scholarship. The scholarship hopes to inspire students to explore space biology.
Application LinkProject Read - Redwood City Library Volunteer Opportunities
Project Read has some upcoming training for teens who would like to volunteer on September 13 and November 8.
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)
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
Volunteer Opportunity with Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is in need of volunteers, 16 years old and older, to help at our construction site in Daly City. If you are curious about Habitat and how you can get involved, we are holding informational sessions to provide a glimpse of our work. In these sessions, you can also expect to hear about the Covid-19 protocols currently in place to ensure the safety of volunteers.
Click Here for more information on how to volunteer
CONTESTS
Menlo Country Club is Looking for Servers and Bussers
BENEFITS Competitive Wages Complimentary Meals While on Duty Flexible Scheduling Hospitality Training Fun, Family-Oriented Work Environment Golf Privileges (in accordance with the club’s policies) Holiday Bonus Potential
HOW TO APPLY Please submit your current resume and a cover letter explaining your interest to James Shafer, Clubhouse Manager, at JShafer@menlocc.com
Studio Host for San Carlos Yoga Studio
Must Be 16yrs old
Yoga Health Center in downtown San Carlos at 677 Laurel Street ia a community-based culture and are seeking a studio host that is a customer service pro with great energy to help our studio soar and provide students with a phenomenal experience.
Part time, minimum of 8-hours / wk
Salary: From $17.00 per hour
If interested, can apply by calling or texting 650-209-0703 or sending an email to mila@yogahealthcenter.com
(Flier with more information in College and Career Center)
Hummingbird Music School is looking for talented high school musicians to join our team of Music Teachers!
Part-time work is available teaching private lessons (in all instruments) in-person or online and teaching group Piano Classes or group Ukulele Classes at local San Carlos Redwood City and Menlo Park elementary schools. Pay is $45/hour for private lessons and $60/hour for group classes. Please apply online at http://hummingbirdmusicschool.com/about
(Flier with more information in College and Career Center)