Senior College & Career Newsletter
Week of November 15 - 21, 2020
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
November 30 - UC/CSU Applications Deadline (see 'Get Help' section below)
Happening in November:
Tuesdays, 4 pm- Have questions? Need help with college applications? Drop by College Club by clicking here: Join us on zoom!
Thursdays, 4pm - UC/CSU Application Workshops (see General 4 Year Information below)
DUE DATES
Nov 20 - LegiSchool Project 2020-2021 Essay Contest deadline
Get Help with College Applications and/or Financial Aid Applications
We want to support each and every one of you through this process! Below are three ways to get help:
- College club on Tuesdays 4 pm - Click here to join
- UC/CSU Application workshops On Thursdays 4 pm - Sign up in Naviance or click here for zoom link
- 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)
Sequoia High School Virtual College Visits
Note: If you are having trouble registering on Naviance email nrocha@seq.org or tignaitis@seq.org for the link
Mon Nov 16
3:00 PM
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)
UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture - Interested in Studying VPA - Learn about the Portfolio Process
Multiple Dates Nov
Presentation on UCLA Arts undergraduate admissions, portfolio and audition requirements, academics, and student life. Click here to learn more and register
University of Washington - Help with Coalition Application Webinar
If you did not make it to one of their workshops, they have created instructions.
Remember if UW is the only Coalition school you are applying to, UW does not use the main Coalition essay. UW does not use IB scores/predicted scores in their admissions process! Instructions on How to Apply
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. Click here to learn more and register
Mount Saint Mary's 2020 Second Saturday Series
December 12
Athenian Applicant Day: Complete your Common Application and meet virtually with an MSMU Admission Counselor for an interview to receive an admission decision that day. Application fee and letters of recommendation are waived.
RSVP link: https://admissions.msmu.edu/portal/fy-sss
Registration for the Athenian Application Day are now available: https://admissions.msmu.edu/portal/aad.
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
TWO AND FOUR YEAR BOUND SENIOR INFORMATION:
General Four-Year College Information
Individual Senior College Application Reviews: College Counselors are available to review your application(s). Your application(s) should be complete at the time of appointment.
Click your college counselor's name below to make an appointment:
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
How to Lookup your Transcript in Infinite Campus:
- Log in
- Go to Documents Tab
- Download Transcript
Reminder about the Transcript Request Process
ALL transcripts requests go through Naviance whether for a college, scholarship or academic program
Transcripts are sent by the Guidance Department
Please allow five school days to send a transcript
UC and CSU – Do not require transcripts for your initial application
Common Application Schools – You do not need to request a transcript because they are automatically sent with your school report, counselor letter, and school profile. Students requested a transcript when they completed the SR/LOR form
Out of State Public/Private (Non-Common Application Schools) -Request on Naviance on the Colleges I’m Applying to tab
IF you see a CANCELED TRANSCRIPT request message on your Naviance account – it is because the Guidance department takes out all unnecessary requests (UC, CSU and Common Application Schools)
If you have any questions:
Email either Ms. Ignaitis (A-L and HCA) or Ms. Rocha (M-Z and DAA)
Watch: How to Request a Transcript/What Colleges do you NEED to Request a Transcript at Sequoia
COMMON APPLICATION
Adding or Removing a College After you Submit your SR/LOR Form
EARLY APPLICANTS
You are responsible to keep your list up to date to
(adding or removing a college, submitting separately, reminders about the process of submitting documents, checking on submission of SHS documents)
ADDING a College:
1. You must email your counselor to get a new SR/LOR (No Signatures are needed on this form)
2. Once completed, turn in to your counselor who will email your teachers a copy of the form
3. Add the college and submit a teacher LOR request on Naviance
REMOVING a College:
Email your counselor and teachers colleges you are not applying
Process of Submitting Application and School Documents
When we submit documents for your 1st due date, we submit them to all the schools on your list and there is NO way we would know if you added a school, unless you tell us.
TEACHERS are NOW submitting their own letters of recommendation.
REMEMBER
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.
UC INFORMATION
SAT/ACT UPDATE
UC will not consider SAT or ACT Fall 2021 Enrollment test scores when making admissions decisions or awarding Regents and Chancellor’s scholarships. If you choose to submit test scores as part of your application, they may be used to determine your eligibility for the California statewide admissions guarantee, as an alternative method of fulfilling minimum requirements for eligibility or for course placement after you enroll
UC Berkeley Application and Information Sessions Recording
If you missed our local rep from UC Berkeley’s workshops last week, she passed along the link of her recordings for you to listen to at your leisure. Click here
When you list IB exams on your UC applications?
Please refer to the Guide To Listing IB Exams on College Apps on the IB webpage of the Sequoia website for exact exam names and dates. Click HERE to access the page. Remember to list any exams taken junior year with your actual score and to list all exams you are registered for in May 2021 as "exams planned."
Taking IB exams is an “added value” to your application.
CSU INFORMATION
Reminder for CSU App
Seniors be sure to indicate you DID NOT take the CAASPP test in your application
What is EOP?
It is a great program that offers academic, financial and emotional support for low income students. It is like AVID at a CSU. They get priority registration, books bought for them, and individual tutoring to name a few.
How can I apply for EOP?
After you submit a CSU application, you can apply for EOP on your CSUApply account. Letters of recommendations are required (you have to ask a teacher or counselor and input their emails- THIS does not go through Naviance). There is an income requirement so please look at the EOP tab on your CSUMentor account.
Get Your Application Checked!
Make a 15 minute appointment and let us make sure you have your courses listed correctly. Make appointments on Calendly. If you do not have a class during the school day, email us and we will try our best to help you then.
Ms Ignaitis (A-L and HCA) Ms Rocha (M-Z and DAA)
COMMUNITY COLLEGE INFORMATION
Each year, the three colleges of the San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD) -- Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College -- award institutional scholarships to new students. The scholarship awards are based on academic achievement, financial need or specific interests such as clubs, athletics, and service.
The 2021-2022 SMCCCD scholarship application is NOW OPEN! Click HERE to apply. Application Deadline: March 2, 2021 at 11:59 PM
Need assistance? Attend one of their Scholarship Zoom Workshops to receive assistance with creating your Academic Works login and completing the application.
Scholarship Workshop Dates (spring dates coming soon):
Tuesday, November 10 at 4:00 pm
Wednesday, November 18 at 10:00 am
Tuesday, December 8 at 10:00 am
To attend complete our reservation form by clicking here.
California Promise Program
For eligible California residents, the California Community Colleges Promise Grant permits enrollment fees to be waived. (Assistance for the purchase of books and supplies must be applied for separately). Many California community colleges offer online California College Promise Grant applications through CCCApply. When you use these financial aid online applications, the data you've entered in CCCApply will be transferred automatically, making your financial aid application much easier and faster.
For information of the Promise Scholar Program at Canada Community College click here. Application opens February 2021!
Other Financial Aid Resources and Information
Send FAFSA Info to Schools – IF you have more than Ten Schools
You can list up to 10 colleges on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Once you receive your Student Aid Report (SAR), you can make the information available to more than 10 colleges through one of the options listed below. (We recommend the first option)
Option 1: Click Login on the home page and log in to your FAFSA account. You will be given the option to Make FAFSA Corrections. Remove some of the colleges listed on your FAFSA, add the additional school codes, and submit the corrections for processing.
Option 2: Call the Federal Student Aid Information Center and have them add the colleges for you. When you call, you must provide the DRN from your SAR or confirmation page. Refer to the Help page for contact information.
Option 3: If you have a paper SAR, you can replace the colleges listed on the SAR with other colleges, and mail the SAR back to Federal Student Aid. Note that the paper SAR allows you to change up to four colleges - not all 10.
Note: If there are 10 colleges on your FAFSA, any new school codes that you add will replace one or more of the school codes already listed. When this change is made, any college removed from the list will not have automatic access to any new information you provide after you've removed that college. However, the college will still have the data you submitted when you listed that college on your FA
CSS Profile and FAFSA (Private Colleges)
Reminder: IF private college requires a CSS Profile in addition to FAFSA, ensure that the CSS Profile is filed 2 weeks (it takes time!) before the priority deadline for the college.
Other Resources
- 7 Easy Steps to the FAFSA: click here
- 10 things you need to know about the California Dream Act: click here
Missed Financial Aid night?
The links below were from the Senior Financial Aid Event Oct 15th.
Peninsula College Fund 4 YR Renewable Scholarship for Low-Income Families
The Peninsula College Fund is excited to begin the application process for the 2021 PCF Scholarship Program! PCF is a scholarship given to multiple Sequoia students each year. Students need to have a 2.8-3.8 UNweighted GPA, plan to attend a four-year college and come from a low-income family(documented).
This is a four-year renewable scholarship and a great opportunity!
PCF will be holding a series of informational sessions for students to learn more about the program on the following dates:
Tuesday, November 10th: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsf-2gpz8rGNOkRLVYh-RWfzhvCDt1cZaP
Thursday, November 12th: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEvfu-hqTsuHNejE4dLSkgRh9v7zpE4YSM5
Wednesday, November 18th: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMscu2grT8jGtMdcGdmcIk8NiYriXvnfx-V
Saturday, November 21st: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvcu-hqjsvG9LrCIrK_6zP23eZ-XBqZ-CB
Students must register to receive the zoom link.
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!
Interested in a San Carlos Skate Park? Get Involved in Your Community
If you or anyone you know is interested in seeing this project come to life, please fill out our survey form: https://forms.gle/Uhu7w8mWZprXKed89
Interested in Becoming a Pilot? Must be 16 yrs
The Upwind Scholarship Program at the San Carlos Flight Center is an opportunity for high school students (juniors are preferred) to earn their private pilot or helicopter pilot certificates over the summer break! In 2021 the Upwind Foundation will award scholarships for both airplane and helicopter training. They are trying to set up a virtual information session.
If interested, please complete the short interest form and the College and Career Center will get back.
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.
Informational Sessions: Nov 18 and 20th
Click Here to sign up for a 30-minute informational sessionCONTESTS
The LegiSchool Project 2020-2021 Essay Contest
The submission deadline is on November 20, 2020.
PROMPT:
The year 2020 brought a lot of uncertainty, change and gave us new perspectives on how we live our daily lives. What are your thoughts on how California responded to different crises this year? Did 2020 change your priorities in state issues? What policies do you think are the most beneficial to California and why? Did 2020 change your opinion on certain policy areas? If so, which ones?
Submitted essays must be 2 pages, typed, 12 point font, double spaced. Open to currently enrolled 11th and 12th-grade students in California. Please fill out the form below to submit your entry.
Crate & Barrel at Stanford Shopping Center
Are you looking to earn some extra money this holiday season? Spend your holidays with great design and a 30% discount.
Crate & Barrel at Stanford Shopping Center is currently building their holiday team. Sales ~ Stockroom ~ Merchandising ~ Customer Service
Flexible hours. Day shifts & Evening shifts. Weekend availability is important.
Please fill out an application online.
https://jobs.crateandbarrel.com/?st=Jobs
Location: Palo Alto
Put my name down as a referral. (John Durkin)
Please fill out the online application. 16 years old with a work permit is the minimum age.
Email Mr. Durkin johnfdurkin@yahoo.com for more details or questions.
How To Videos for students now on our website!
All Newsletters Available Online!
Oct 25-31 Newsletter
General 4 Year - State ID - Where is it located?
Private - Worried About School Documents Being Sent On-Time?
UC/CSU - How to put in courses - Common Mistakes to Avoid
CSU- Adding Courses How to Videos and IB Exams Help
Financial Aid - Missed Financial Aid night? Recording available, CCS Profile, Middle Class Scholarship and FAFSA General Information
Student Opportunities - YAB
Scholarship - Elks Most Valuable Scholar and How to Request a Transcript for a College
Nov 1-7, 2020
General 4 Year - Listing IB Exams
UC -From UC Bulletin, Reasons to Apply Early and Entering IB Exams
CSU - UC -Common UC & CSU Mistakes:
CSU - How to add courses into CSUApply
Student Opportunities - Sequoia High School PTSA: 2020-2021 Reflections Information
Scholarship - Elks Most Valuable Scholar and How to Request a Transcript for a Scholarship
Nov 8-14, 2020
Virtual College Visits and Events
Financial Aid - Adding More than Ten Colleges on FAFSA and Dream Application
General 4 Year - Requesting Transcript Reminders
Private - Adding Colleges AFTER you Submit your Form to your Counselor
UC -From UC Bulletin, Reasons to Apply Early and Entering IB Exams
CSU - What is EOP
Community College - Promise Scholarship
Student Opportunities -Participate in San Carlos City Government - Skate Park, Job Openings at Crate N Barrel
JUNIORS - PSAT Information