Senior College & Career Newsletter
Week of December 13 - 19, 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
- Dec 14 - 18 - Finals Week - Good Luck, Finish Strong!
- December 14 - UC Merced, Riverside and Santa Cruz Application workshop (see UC section below)
- December 15 - College Club (Get help with applications before the semester ends) Click here to join 4-5pm
- December 15 - UC Santa Cruz, UC Merced and UC Riverside Application Deadline Extended (see UC Section Below)
- December 15- CSU Applications Deadline (see 'CSU Section Below)
- March 2 - Priority Deadline for FAFSA
- March 2 - Deadline for Cal Grant
Should you decide to apply to a College over Winter Break:
Should you decide to apply to a college(s) during the winter break that is NOT currently listed on your LOR sheet AND that has a due date during the winter break, you MUST email Ms. Ignaitis at tignaitis@seq.org to let her know. She will be checking her school email over the holidays and will send documents to colleges on my behalf over the break. I will only be checking my email very sporadically, so to ensure your documents get sent to the college on time, you must let Ms. Iganaitis know via email.
More detailed information below under 'COMMON APPLICATION' Section
Have a wonderful break! See you in 2021!
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 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 counselor directly and state the time you have a free period).
- 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.
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
Check your portals and emails often and do not wait to respond.
An example of a “to do” on your CSU/UC portal –. Your reaction should be to go on to your College Board/ACT account and see, if and when, they will be sent. If it was weeks ago, you should call the college and inquire if they have received them or not and what you should do. Remember most CSU/UCs are on break soon.
School Documents are sent INDEPENDENTLY from a student’s application; you do not have to wait until your letters or school reports are sent to submit your application.
Want to Check to See If Sequoia Sent Your Documents?
Go to Naviance, Colleges I’m Applying to, and click on “Application Milestones.” A green check will be present when a document was sent to the college. If there is not a green check, contact the teacher submitting your LOR
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.
TRANSCRIPTS
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)
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 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 Colleges that Need SR/LORs Sent OVER BREAK
There is no way your teachers, counselor or I know that you added a school, unless you tell me!
ADDING Colleges
- If you need to add a school, EMAIL Ms. Ignaitis at tignaitis@seq.org. I will respond to your request. If I do not respond after a day, email me again. You do not need to email your counselors or teachers. The Adding Colleges feature on Naviance has been disabled during the break so you must email me to add them for you!
- When we come back from break and you go through the SR/LOR Form process, the adding colleges feature will be turned on. - Before you email me, make sure the college is listed on your Common Application.
REMOVING Colleges
Since Naviance does not allow anyone to remove a college after a document has been sent, it is important to email me, your teachers and your counselor if they have not submitted documents for you as of today. When we send documents not on your Common Application, we get an error message and worry if there is a problem unless I know it is because you are no longer applying to that school.
LOR Beginning of January Due Dates
Hopefully you spoke to your teachers before the break about your upcoming application due dates. If you did not or you are worried, send a thankful reminder BUT understand they are on VACATION and will complete them on or before the due date. (Colleges know that teachers and counselors are on break and most allow LOR/SR to come in on the Monday back from break.
ALSO UNDERSTAND
- Your application is independent of all other documents. You need to apply on time. Yours is the due date to concentrate on!
- If school documents go to a school you decided not to apply to, the college will discard them if not matched with an application.
UC INFORMATION
Campuses extending the UC admission application deadline
Need Help? Workshop Monday Dec 14th from 6-8!
The deadline to apply to UC Merced, UC Riverside and UC Santa Cruz for Fall 2021 has been extended to 11:59 p.m. PST on Dec. 15, 2020.
To give students a chance to ask questions and access additional support to complete the UC application, the campuses are partnering to offer an online Application Workshop and Live Chats. Register Here
IF you Need Changes AFTER YOU APPLY (Before Semester Ends)
You can log in to your application to review and, if necessary, change your telephone number, email, mailing address or SAT/ACT scores.
Keep in mind: We cannot guarantee that a campus can go back to review an application after correspondence has been received. Make sure to save a copy of your correspondence just in case.
If there are changes to other sections of your application:
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
Get Your Application Checked! - CSU Application Deadline EXTENDED 12/15
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)
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.
COMMUNITY COLLEGE INFORMATION
Explore Careers through Community College
California’s community colleges are the largest provider of workforce training in the world with more than 200 programs – crafted in collaboration with business and labor and taught by industry professionals – ranging from craft brewing to engineering to automotive technology. Many of our life-changing programs can be completed in less than a year, and – at just $46 per unit – you can’t beat the price. Click here to learn more about opportunities through Community College.
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!
Do you need help completing the FAFSA or Dream Application?
FREE Workshops from the California Student Aid Commission Starting Dec 15th
Complete the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) now! Join the California Student Aid Commission for a Cash for College Webinar! Learn about the FAFSA and CADAA application and get your questions answered via the Cash for College hotline! Register for this FREE webinar here!
Must Sign up for a FAFSA ID BEFORE attending these workshops
What is a FAFSA ID?
It is how you and a parent/guardian electronically sign your FAFSA
The federal government matches the information you provide with your Social Security Number on file
FAFSA ID Reminders
It is important to use the name exactly as it appears on your Social Security Card
Only one parent/guardian needs to also sign up for a FAFSA ID
Parent/guardian must have a Social Security Card (it is ok if they do not)
If you have an older brother or sister, your parent/guardian might already have one
DEADLINE MARCH 2, 2021
GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program and December Scholarship List Updated
GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program
Deadline Jan 5th
Honoring the legacy and character of our nation’s 40th President, the GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program rewards college-bound students who demonstrate exemplary leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship with financial assistance to pursue higher education.
Each year, the Program selects numerous recipients to receive a $10,000 scholarship renewable for up to an additional three years – up to $40,000 total per recipient. Awards are for undergraduate study and may be used for education-related expenses, including tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, and board. In addition, Scholars are invited to participate in a special awards program and receive ongoing leadership-development support. Click here to learn more
How to Request a Transcript for a Scholarship on Naviance (if needed)
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!
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
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.
For More Information Click Here
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!
Dec 6-12th
Financial Aid -WUE
General 4 Year - Check your portals and emails often and do not wait to respond, Checking Documents Sent by SHS
Private - Checking Application for Regular Decision
UC - How to Make Corrections if Needed, Complete the FAFSA
CSU - Check Application Deadline Extended, Set Up Portals if Submitted
Community College - Explore Careers through Community College
Student Opportunities - Girls that Code Activities, Stanford’s Young Women’s Leadership Summit, Bank of America Leaders Program
Scholarship - GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program, December List Available
Nov 21-Dec 5th
Virtual College Visits and Events
EVENT: BGCP College Application Workshop - Monday Nov 23rd For all
Financial Aid - Adding More than 10 Colleges to FAFSA (Second Week)
General 4 Year - Words of Advice From University of Chicago and Reminders
Private - College Essay Guy - How is a College Assessing Your Application?
UC - Fee Waivers
CSU - Common Errors on How to List Coursework
Community College - Institutional Scholarships
Student Opportunities - Girls that Code Activities, Stanford’s Young Women’s Leadership Summit
Scholarship -, December List Available
Job Opportunities - Crate N Barrel