Senior College & Career Newsletter
Week of November 8-14, 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 DATE
Seniors: Get Help with College Applications
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:
- 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 link
Mon Nov 16
3:00 PM
Mon Nov 9
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
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. Click here to learn more and register
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
OTHER VIRTUAL EVENTS
Interested in a San Carlos Skate Park? Get Involved in Your Community
Members of the San Carlos Youth Advisory Council are looking into the possibility of creating a skate park in San Carlos. Right now, we are focusing on a pilot project, which we will observe over a 6-month period. We would love to get your opinion on the matter. 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
UC Berkeley’s BARE Magazine Student Opportunity to collaboratively explore their interests in a range of fields including journalism, photography, styling, design, modeling, and marketing
Monday Nov 9 4-5PM
BARE Magazine is UC Berkeley’s premier arts, fashion, and lifestyle publication. Since its debut in 2007, BARE has gained prominence on campus, and has also garnered national recognition in publications such as the New York Times and Teen Vogue.
We would like to invite students to join our design basics workshop on November 9, from 4-5 PM PST on Zoom. We will be teaching skills on Adobe Creative Suite and offering college advice to all students who join. We hope your students will take advantage of this excellent opportunity to acquire a new art skill and get to meet current UC Berkeley students
If interested, please forward this email to your staff. RSVP information is attached here: https://tinyurl.com/BAREdesignbasics.
General Four-Year College Information
Reminder about the Transcripts 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
From UC Counselor Bulletin: Top 5 Reasons Why Students are encouraged to Complete Their Applications Early
1. Completing the application under pressure often results in an incomplete or mistake-filled application.
Print out a copy and review it with fresh eyes before submitting.
2. Allow time to receive feedback from a parent, trusted friend, or adviser and make any necessary revisions before submitting.
3. Enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday without the stress of upcoming deadlines.
4. Mother Nature tends to be quite active in November with various natural disasters that can interrupt travel plans or result in power or network outages.
5. Our help desk is open for extended hours, but as the deadline approaches, our representatives get busier and the wait times get longer.
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
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 apply for EOP?
After you submit a CSU application, you can apply for EOP on your CSUApply account. It is important to look TODAY at the deadlines for the schools you are applying to. A lot of CSU give priority to students who apply early, some have Nov 30th deadlines. 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
It is important to complete the FAFSA or CADAA even if you are applying to Community College. Students who forgo the FAFSA/CADAA could miss out on state and federal grants – which don’t need to be paid back.
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!
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
DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 15
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!
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.
College 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
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
CONTESTS
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!
How To Videos for students now on our website!
All Newsletters Available Online!
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
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