Senior College & Career Newsletter
October 2-8, 2022
Welcome Students & Families
Scroll through for important information regarding College/Career
How to reach us?
For general questions and inquiries please email (Please do not use the link at the bottom of this Newsletter to contact us)
Ms Ignaitis: tignaitis@seq.org
All HCA, Study Skills Students and Last names A-L
and/or
Ms Yeager: tyeager@seq.org
All DAA, ELD Students and Last names M-Z
On Wednesdays, join the College & Career Center in the Quad at lunch.
Need Help Applying to College? College Club on Tuesdays!
Tuesdays 4-5 PM (Counselors will be there this Tuesday!)
This Tuesday we will go over how College Club can help this application period!
If you need help applying to college, please come to College Club every Tuesday from 4-5.
If you have a sport or job after-school, please come see us in the College and Career Center to make other arrangements.
Our goal is to get something done every week and we hope to see you there!
If you have questions, please come to College and Career Center
Need a Fee Waiver for a College Application? Complete the 2022-2023 Meal Application
Fall 2022 Add/Drop Dates
11/16: Last day to drop with penalty. No drops after this date.
11/1: Last day to drop an IB course in a testing year.
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)
Saint Mary's College of California
Tue Oct 4 9:30 AM
Clarkson University. - Small Liberal Arts College -Engineering
Tue Oct 4 10:30 AM
Bates College
Tue Oct 4. 11:30 AM
University of Puget Sound
Tue Oct 4 2:00 PM
Vanderbilt University
Thu Oct 6 8:00 AM
University of Rochester
Thu Oct 6 8:30 AM
Lafayette College
Fri Oct 7 7:30 AM
University of California-Davis
Fri Oct 7 8:30 AM
University of Southern California
Fri Oct 7 10:30 AM
Macalester College
Tue Oct 11 8:00 AM
University of East Anglia (UEA)
Tue Oct 11 8:30 AM
IE University - Madrid
Tue Oct 11 9:00 AM
Grinnell College
Tue Oct 11 9:30 AM
OTHER COLLEGE EVENTS
Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, Penn and Stanford Info Session - Exploring College Options
Oct 2 & 3rd
Information Session with a group of selective colleges.
Sunday, October 2 at 6:00 PM Register: Exploring College Options Student Program (Virtual)
Monday, October 3 at 7:00 PM Register: Exploring College Options Student Program (Virtual)
Understanding Financial Aid by Reed College
October 4, October 20 and November 2
Sandy Sundstrom, Director of Financial Aid at Reed College, will demystify financial aid, explain how it works, and show you how to apply. Register here: October 4, October 20, and November 2
General overview of financial aid and scholarships
Tues Oct 11, from 6:00-7:15 p.m.
Alice Kleeman will provide an overview of financial aid and scholarships in the Downtown Library Community Room. Seniors: Even if you think your family might not need financial aid for college, this presentation could be helpful to you. This 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.
From Alice Kleeman, Instructor: "I served as the College Advisor at Menlo-Atherton H.S. for 20 years. Since retiring seven years ago, I have kept well informed so I can be useful to students who need extra help (without ever charging money for my help). I offer college-related help as a volunteer at the Boys & Girls Club and elsewhere. I particularly enjoy serving students whose parents did not go to college.
Lawrence University: (Colleges That Change Lives) Speak to an Admission Counselor
Chat with an admissions counselor in person or virtually
Interviews Available with Reed College
Reed College encourages students to think of the interview as a casual conversation—a way of sharing about themselves that goes beyond the usual numbers like GPA. Most of their interviews are conducted by current Reedies so they’re also a great way for your students to learn about Reed from the people who know it best.
Now is a great time for your students to interview while availability is high. Although an interview isn’t required to apply it’s a useful supplement that helps us get to know our applicants. Sign-up for a VIRTUAL INTERVIEW SLOT.
Find the College for You at NACAC Virtual College Fairs
October 9th
Hundreds of colleges and universities from the US and worldwide will be ready and waiting to talk with you at these upcoming NACAC Virtual College Fairs will be on Sundays. Don't miss these free, one-day events for high school students, transfer students, and families. Go to virtualcollegefairs.org to see the list of participating colleges and to REGISTER. Then log in on any fair date to attend Zoom sessions, text your questions, and demonstrate interest... all without leaving home.Opportunities and Outcomes at Liberal Arts Colleges
Oct 11th
Amherst, Bowdoin, Carleton, Pomona, Swarthmore, and Williams are putting our own rivalries aside, and hosting a series of virtual events for students and families. .
RSVP for the events below that interest you, and browse recordings of previous sessions at the bottom of the page. You can also fill out one easy form to get admission information about each school.Reed College Senior Scholars Program
SENIOR SCHOLARS PROGRAM – Apply by Saturday, October 15: This yearlong, three-part engagement with our community is designed to answer the unique questions posed by underrepresented students and students of color. If admitted to Reed as a Senior Scholar, your students will meet with a financial aid counselor, create lasting connections with current students and faculty, and receive a partially- or fully-funded travel voucher to visit campus in the spring.
GENERAL FOUR YEAR COLLEGE INFORMATION
How to Add Courses for Covid Spring 2020 Semester AND Entering Type of Grading System
You do not have to add Pass/No Pass when entering the type of Grading System for the Common App/Coalition/UC and CSU Applications - Sequoia uses a A-F grading system
For the spring semester of your 9th grade year, simply choose P or NP without any explanation
See photos below!
All courses at SHS are semester with the exception of PE and the quarter of WS1 and Lifeskills your freshman year. For UC and CSU, you do not enter any of the exceptions above because they are not A-G unless you have taken any PE dance course.
Specific Four Year College Information By Type
CSU Application is NOW OPEN!
CSU is Now Open - Make Sure you Choose FALL 2023
If you need help or you need it checked, please come to College Club or drop in at lunch.
One of the first questions on the application is-what the major are you applying for?
Majors/Degrees
All of the CSU are not the same and sometimes they have different names for the same subject area. Figure out HERE what degree you are applying for each school on the CSUapply website.
2022-2023 First Time Freshman Supplemental Factors by Campus
When you figure out what major you will be applying to, see if it is IMPACTED. If impacted, there will be a multiple measure selection process, again, different for each campus.
UC INFORMATION
UC/CSU Common Errors
1. Sometimes the approved UC/CSU names are not the same name as is on your transcript
- History IB HL1 is the junior year course
- 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.
- 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 course type for CSU, ALWAYS choose – none.
- Both the quarter of WS 1 and Life Skills are not A-G eligible
NEVER CHOOSE: I do not see my class or add a course on your own that you took at SHS
UC Admissions Sessions and Fairs
Campuses may offer a range of opportunities, including college fairs, appointments, admissions sessions, tours and videos on admission, housing and/or financial aid and scholarships. Some will be hosted in person, while others will be offered virtually. Programming for counselors, students and families will be available.
UC Berkeley: Open House October 8; programming throughout September and October
UC Davis: Open House events throughout October; programming for counselors, families and students offered throughout the fall quarter
UC Irvine: Discover UCI October 15
UCLA: Open House October 8 (hybrid)
UC Merced: Programming available throughout September, October and November
UC Riverside: Discover UCR October 22
UC San Diego: Fall Showcase October 1; programming available throughout September, October and November
UC Santa Barbara: Programming throughout October and November
UC Santa Cruz: Programming throughout September, October and November
COMMON APPLICATION INFORMATION
Sequoia School Information for Common Application
For the Education – Grades Section of the Common Application
Class Rank Reporting – Do not rank
Graduating Class Size – 460
GPA Scale – 4
GPA Weighting – Weighted
Guidance FAX – (650) 306-8893
Graduation Date – June 9, 2023
Your Official GPA- Overall weighted GPA
Complete Your Common Application Correctly - Ways to Get Help
Take your time and submit the best application possible
College & Career Common Errors on the Common Application Workshops
We are hosting multiple opportunities before, during and after school to go over the Common Application. Click here view the Workshop Schedule and Sign Up page.
New: Instructional application videos (From Updates from Common Application)
Just in time for back to school, we’re excited to launch our instructional applications videos for the 2022-2023 year, featuring members of the Common App team! Topics include a full application overview of first-year and transfer, how to approach each essay prompt, and the most popular questions we hear about the application process.
View the Playlist Their YouTube channel for more videos throughout the application season!
COMMUNITY COLLEGE INFORMATION
Health Career Fair- Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula
Thurs Oct 13th 6:30pm
Come hear from and talk to a variety of health career professionals at the Redwood City Clubhouse. Email Andrea Marquez, andream@bgcp.org, for more information.
Annual Women in Cardiology Career Development Event
Oct 15, 2022, 9:00 AM – 12 NOON (PT) (Virtual)
This event is one of a kind, aimed at inspiring women to choose Cardiology as a career at a pipeline level targeting all women trainees – including undergraduate and high school students. The small group breakout sessions in the program provide an excellent networking opportunity for trainees to learn more about cardiology as a career choice. For registration link and details, click here.
Did you know some schools allow you to know your financial aid package early?
Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington offers an early financial aid guarantee. With this early guarantee, you can see how much money in scholarships and financial aid you’ll be awarded from Whitman if you are admitted. Click here to learn more and request an early financial aid guarantee now.
Other Resource: 7 Easy Steps to the FAFSA: click here
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.
Where do I go to get an FSA ID?
Get started here!
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
Sequoia Awards Scholarship
Deadline October 31st
Do you live in Redwood City and have you made an impact with your community service activities?
The Sequoia Awards provides scholarships to high school seniors who are outstanding community volunteers. To apply for a Sequoia Awards scholarship, you must: have performed voluntary community service; be a high school senior; and reside at a Redwood City mailing address. This includes unincorporated Redwood City, North Fair Oaks, Emerald Hills, and Redwood Shores. For application and more information visit their website here.
Deadline to submit an application and materials is October 31. Upload your transcript from Infinite Campus.
Are you applying to a college that requires a nomination from Sequoia for scholarships or programs?
Important Process Below:
When you are researching colleges to apply to, check to see if they have scholarships and programs that require nominations.
For example, Davidson College has the Belk Scholarships which provides 8 full-ride scholarships to students who are selected. Also, Washington University in St. Louis has the Danforth Scholars Program that awards partial and full-tuition scholarships based on merit and does not consider need as part of the award process. Both of these examples require being nominated in order to apply.
Congressional App Challenge
Due Nov 1
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives host a district-wide Congressional App Challenges for middle school and high school students encouraging them to learn to code and inspiring them to pursue careers in computer science. For more information; Congressional App Challenge
Students can register as individuals or as teams of up to four. Check out Congresswoman Speier's Webpage.
Sequoia High School PTSA: 2022-2023 Reflections VPA Contest Information
Due: Nov 11th
This year’s theme: Show Your Voice
Enter your artwork and reflect about its meaning to you in one of six categories.
Dance Choreography
Film Production
Literature
Music Composition
Photography
Visual Arts
Special Artist Division
All entries will be recognized for their artistic achievement. Participation itself is a meaningful contribution to the Sequoia community! First-place finishers in each category enter the district competition, district winners move on to the state competition, and state winners move on to compete nationally.
Be sure to review the rules and category information on the Reflections page of the PTSA website.
Submissions due Friday, Nov. 11. Click here for the online submission form.
Good Tidings Community Service Scholarship
Due: Nov. 11
Good Tidings Foundation encourages and supports the growth of marginalized children in the Bay Area by creating spaces for athletics, artistic activities, education, and wonder.
Our purpose is to provide opportunities that otherwise would be unavailable to kids regardless of their financial status, ethnic origin, or religion. Our scholarships award high school seniors based on the greatest service and financial need. Go here to find our more.Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
Deadlines: Dec 6, 7 and all year long
The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards allow high school students to submit art, writing and poetry for regional and national recognition.
Poetry: open all year and can submit once (there is a cost to process, but it can be waived) Frequently Asked Questions
Teens may enter work that was created this past spring or over the summer. Students should enter their current grade level, even if they are entering work that was created while they were in a different grade.
Healthy Cities New Tutor Orientation on Zoom
October 5, 7-7:30 PM.
Are you a new volunteer tutor? Interested in becoming a tutor but want to learn more first? Join other new tutors and learn more about HCT and our program, meet our staff and have all your questions answered!
Learn more and RSVP here.
Healthy Cities: Tutor Tips Workshop
October 19th
Don't miss our Fall Tutor Tips Training led by HCT staff and teachers from our schools. Learn valuable techniques for engaging and supporting your students. Learn more and RSVP.
Star Vista Teen Volunteer
Volunteering with StarVista is an excellent opportunity to learn more about yourself and receive valuable training while making an important contribution to your Community
StarVista has helped people throughout San Mateo County navigate life’s challenges. Our counseling, crisis prevention, youth housing, and early childhood programs help tens of thousands of people in our community each year.
Project Read- Redwood City Library Volunteer Opportunities
TRAINING - Nov 8th
Project Read has some upcoming training for teens who would like to volunteer on 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
KJ’s Cafe is Hiring Baristas @ Kaiser Medical Office Building in RWC
3pm-6:00pm Mon-Friday
NO WEEKEND OR EVENING WORK REQUIRED.
WE WILL WORK AROUND YOUR SCHOOL SCHEDULE.
IF YOU ENJOY/HAVE:
Experience with customer service, Genuine warmth for others, Learn quickly, Thrive in collaborative environments, Value earnest hard work, Enjoy/love being part of a team… We are looking for you!!!
Formal resume not required. Barista experience strongly preferred but happy to train the right person. Full or Part Time, Salary: $17.00- $20.00 + tips which average approx $5-6 per hour.
E-Mail:katherine@kjscafe.com
Cell: (650) 464-3111
House of Humor Seasonal Help
Applicants must be at least 15 years old. Applications available in store. Turn in applications to the Hiring Manager. Questions, call 650-368-5524
Flier Available in College and Career Center
Stanford University Residential & Dining Enterprises Food Service Positions
A lot of Sequoia Students work here!
How To Videos for students now on our website!
Senior Portrait Information
Past Newsletters
CAREER: Benefits of having a job in high school, COLLEGE TIP: Ask the Same Question for Each College Visit FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE: Do I need a LOR/SR Form
September 11-17 , 2022 Click Here
4YR COLLEGE: Choosing a Major FA: Real Cost of College
September 4-11 Newsletter Click Here
4YR COLLEGE: - Requesting Transcripts, COMMON APPLICATION/PRIVATE COLLEGE: Application Help, CAREER: Firefighter Program, Motion Graphic Design
COLLEGE: Nomination Process
August 28- September 3 Newsletter Click Here
COMMON APPLICATION: What you can do now for LOR, CAREER: Careers in Art
August 21-27 Newsletter Click Here
CAREER: O'NET Career Resource, 4 YR GENERAL - Importance of College Visit