Senior College & Career Newsletter
Week of January 24-30, 2021
Welcome Students & Families - Happy New Year!
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
- Feb 1- Deadline for Counselors to Submit MYR (see Private/Common App Section)
- Feb 4 - Senior Community College Fair and Information Night
- Feb 6 - Sequoia Cash for College (More info next week)
- January-March- Various CSU Applications Deadlines (see 'CSU Section)
- March 2 - Priority Deadline for FAFSA or CADAA
- March 2 - Deadline for Cal Grant
Tuesdays, 4 pm- Have questions? Need help with college portals or Financial Aid? Drop by College Club by clicking here: Join us on zoom!
Get Help with College Applications, Follow Up and/or Financial Aid Applications
We want to support each and every one of you through this process! Below are ways to get help:
Students make Individual Appointments via Calendly with college counselors by clicking on their corresponding counselor’s name below. (if you have a free period, email your counselor directly and state the time you have a free period).
Join us every Tuesday for College Club at 4pm on zoom: https://seq-org.zoom.us/j/92359863949
Check out the How-To videos (link below)
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.
National Hispanic Institute Virtual College Fair
February 2
NHI is thrilled to announce its first digital college fair and expo of this program year. This college fair will allow students and families to: Uncover new college options through a robust search tool, Experience virtual campus tours, Watch videos and download materials helpful for in the decision process, Schedule meetings and interviews with admissions representatives. No matter where you are in the college search process, you can learn more about your options at the National Hispanic Institute Virtual College Fair and Expo! To learn more and to register click here
CSU Eastbay Education Summit 2021 for African Am, Latino, Native Am, & Pacific Islanders
Saturday Feb 6th
Learn how to prepare for college through presentations and workshops for middle school, high school and community college students
Hear from current East Bay students as they share their experience at East Bay, including the transition to campus, what school has been like during the pandemic, and advice they have for students going into college
Financial aid workshops, including FAFSA and Dream Act application tips
Attend informative workshops for parents of students
Questions? Contact us at educationsummit@csueastbay.edu.
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
Mid Year Transcripts Are Ready - Who Needs to Request a Transcript?
Common Application Schools - If on your Naviance account as a CA school, a MYR will AUTOMATICALLY be sent - DO Not Request
UC - It is rare that a UC request a transcript (usually an international transfer student) - Do not request unless the college emails or it is a “to do” item (send Ms Ignaitis a screenshot and she will send)
CSU - Varies from student to student and school to school. - Do not request unless the college emails or it is a “to do” item. (send Ms Ignaitis a screenshot and she will send)
Out of State Schools - Varies from student to student and school to school. A lot of public out of state colleges DO NOT want transcripts at this point - they do not have staff to process them LIKE University of Oregon and Washington. PLEASE READ EMAILS and CHECK PORTALS
Important Transcript REMINDERS
Add All College Applications – To “Colleges I’m Applying To” on Naviance
Please list every school that you applied to on Naviance including CSUs and UCs. We can’t submit documents until you list them on Naviance. Also, make sure you note that you submitted your application as well.
IF you see a CANCELED TRANSCRIPT request message on your Naviance account – it is because the Counseling 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 and PRIVATE COLLEGE INFORMATION
Update: Mid Year Reports (MYR)
All MYR will be completed and sent by February 1st
Common Application Schools Require a Mid-Year Report (MYR) Information
Most MYR include only your new GPA and 7th semester transcripts. They also include any change in course work listed on your School Report (SR).
MYRs will be sent automatically if you requested a SR through Naviance IF YOU HAVE LISTED THE COLLEGE AS A COMMON APP School (if there is a ? mark –EDIT it to Common Application if the school needs a MYR
IF you applied to a non Common Application private college that needs a separate form completed or a MYR, please email your counselor ASAP
UC INFORMATION
Pre-Admission Verification - Due Jan 31st
In December, a random sampling of applicants was selected to verify information in their application. Applicants were asked to provide documentation to verify one item from sections on the UC application including academic history, honors and awards, extracurricular activities, volunteer work and community service, special program participation, employment, or information contained in the personal insight responses.
Within the emailed instructions for verification, applicants were provided a list of appropriate documentation. Appropriate documentation could include official transcripts, a letter from a counselor or coach on letterhead, or a copy of a certificate or award. The deadline to respond is January 31, 2021. Failure to respond to the request by the deadline will result in withdrawal of the application.
Personal Insight Question Plagiarism Check
In January, all personal insight questions are reviewed by an anti-plagiarism software program. If contacted by UC for verification, applicants will have the opportunity to demonstrate that their PIQ responses are their own work. Applicants who are unable to provide evidence that it is their own work or who do not respond in the designated timeframe will have their UC applications withdrawn
REPORTING D & F OR SCHEDULE CHANGES
You must tell each UC if you changed your schedule (dropped courses) or received a D or F during the Fall 2020 semester.
Minor changes to your activities, awards, volunteer work or employment are unlikely to have an impact on your admission decision.
NOTE Each Campus has a different policy:
CSU INFORMATION
Next Steps: AFTER YOU SUBMIT APPLICATION
Soon after you apply, you will receive an email from the CSU with directions on how to set up its portal. Every school is a little different so make sure to keep track of your login information. To meet all deadlines, check your email and portals weekly and DO NOT WAIT to complete your “To Do” list.
Check Portals and Emails Often
Every school is a little different so make sure to keep track of your login information. To meet all deadlines, check your email and portals weekly and DO NOT WAIT to complete your “To Do” list.
CSU Application Deadline EXTENDED
Many CSU have extended their deadlines (some only allow certain majors)
Click on link for more information Extended Dates
COMMUNITY COLLEGE INFORMATION
Sequoia Community College Night
February 4
Sequoia High School will hold a VIRTUAL Community College Night for seniors and their families on Thursday, February 4th from 7pm to 8:30pm. There will be representatives from our local community colleges. A representative from each college will present overviews of their respective programs and their admission process. There will also be a brief financial aid presentation specific to community colleges. The night will conclude with a college fair where students and parents can speak to the individual schools with their specific questions.
English Presentation link: https://seq-org.zoom.us/j/91344156647?pwd=S0k3TW1RMFJjR0pyemRTMzB3OTlBQT09
Spanish Presentation link: https://seq-org.zoom.us/j/2759702970
From UC Counselor Bulletin: Here are some of the reasons for applying prior to the March 2nd deadline: (Applies to the majority of colleges in California)
March 2nd is the deadline for consideration for Cal Grants and UC’s need-based grant programs.
Early applicants will receive preliminary information from the US Department of Education on eligibility for Pell Grants once their FAFSA has been processed. The college determines finalized eligibility for Pell Grants and other federal aid programs.
Students will also receive preliminary information about Cal Grants eligibility from the California Student Aid Commission. The college determines finalized eligibility for Cal Grants and other state funded aid.
Completing applications early will allow UC to provide financial aid offers either simultaneously or shortly after an offer of admission is received.
SAVE THE DATE - Feb 6th Virtual Cash for College for Sequoia
Get your FAFSA/CADAA Application in!
Seniors, you have only a couple of months left to get either your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application in! Do not wait until the last minute.
FAFSA - DUE MARCH 2, 2021
For students with a Social Security Number
-or-
CA Dream Act- DUE MARCH 2, 2021
For students without a Social Security Number.
Click for Financial Aid Information: English or Espanol
Families who would like assistance with the FAFSA or CADAA can make an appointment with College Counselors (appointment links above).
CALIFORNIA STUDENT AID COMMISSION: CASH FOR COLLEGE WEBINARS
Complete the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) now! Learn about the FAFSA and CADAA application and get your questions answered via the Cash for College hotline! Register for this FREE webinar here!
Please have the following documents available during the webinar:
• Your parents and your FSA ID (For FAFSA filers ONLY) or Dream Act Account (For CADAA filers) • Driver's License, if you have one
• Social Security Card, if you have one
• Alien Registration Card, if you have one
• ITIN, if you have one
• List of colleges you are interested in to list on the applications
• Most current bank statements
• Any records of untaxed income
• 2019 tax information (1040’s and W2’s)
• This includes your parents' tax information if you are a dependent student.
You will have an opportunity to ask questions via chat box (general questions only) or via our Cash for College hotline after the webinar. Please have your FSA ID or Dream Act Account completed and ready for the webinar so you can follow along and complete the application.
FAFSA
TWO AND FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE BOUND SENIORS, COMPLETE THIS FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID ONLINE TODAY REGARDLESS OF YOUR FAMILY INCOME.
DEADLINE MARCH 2, 2021
CA DREAM ACT
DEADLINE MARCH 2, 2021
CSS PROFILE
Al Teglia Jobs for Youth Scholarship
Due: Feb 2nd
Al Teglia Jobs for Youth Scholarship provides college and vocational scholarships to Jobs for Youth participants. Each year, the program awards scholarships to deserving youth who would like to pursue their college/vocational education. Applicants must obtain a GPA of 2.0 and have attended a Jobs for Youth workshop and have registered as a Member.
For more information or to apply please visit their website: http://jobsforyouth.org/SCHOLARSHIPS/
New Scholarship List for February
If you find a scholarship you're interested, get more information on Naviance!
Bank of America Student Leaders Program
DEADLINE January 29, 2021
OVERVIEW: The B of A Student Leader Program is a summer 8-week paid internship with a nonprofit organization selected by the bank. It is designed to help students develop and apply leadership skills through hands-on work experience. Also a week-long all-expense paid student leadership summit in Washington DC to introduce students to civic, social and business leadership.
For more information or to apply click here
Leyla Beban Young Authors Creative Writing Contest - open to all grades
DUE Feb 1st
Welcome aspiring young authors, and thank you for your interest in the $1000 for 1000 Words Creative Writing Contest! We’re looking for an outstanding piece of short fiction that consists of exactly 1000 words. While there are no specific guidelines beyond that, we encourage you to tell a story that matters. Write something you believe in. Tell a story that only you can tell. Our judges have no specific criteria in mind other than to look for excellence. In other words, write something that moves you that dazzles you that says precisely what you want to say in precisely the way you want to say it. As long as you do so in precisely 1000 words. For More Information click here
2021 EngineerGirl Writing Contest
DUE Feb 1st
Every year EngineerGirl hosts a writing contest to encourage students (all genders), grades 3-12, to investigate engineering and the ways that it shapes our world. Their hope is that the competition can spark discussion and activities that can enhance or extend the love for STEM. Students must create a creative fiction story of a female main character using an engineering skill to solve a problem. For more Information click here
Do you have a talent in art and want to share your work with the community?
Due: February 12th
The San Carlos Youth Advisory Council is holding an arts competition called "Creations and Connections." Any youth ages 10-18 can submit artwork under the theme of "Peace, Love, and Community" in one of many categories ranging from poetry and short stories to film production, and even dance choreography. Express your talent and join us for an awards ceremony where you may even win a prize. Read and learn more at cityofsancarlos.org/yac.
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.”
EPATT (East Palo Alto Tennis and Tutoring)
EPATT recruiting high school students for its College and Career Readiness (CCR) Program. At EPATT it is important to meet all of our students where they are academically and create a targeted plan for them. Our approach consists of academic support, one-on-one tutoring, mentoring, college/career advising and parent/family support. Our goal at EPATT is for all our students, to possess the academic and personal skills to be successful not only in college but in life.
Visit myepatt.org to check-out our offerings.
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.
For More Information Click Here
How To Videos for students available on our website!
All Newsletters Available Online!
Jan 17-23, 2021
Upcoming Events and Deadlines
Financial Aid - FAFSA or CADAA Deadline March 2
General 4 Year - Check your portals, Transcripts and communicating with your colleges
Private - Interview Help Mid Year Reports/Transcripts
UC - Reporting D/F or Schedule Changes
CSU -
Community College - Canada College Workshops
Student Opportunities - Girls that Code Activities, Habitat for Humanity, Bank of America Leaders Program
Contests-
Scholarships -January Scholarship List Available, Pursuit of Excellence Scholarship