Senior College & Career Newsletter
Week of August 28- September 3, 2022
Welcome Students & Families
Scroll through for important information regarding College/Career
How to reach us?
For general questions and inquiries please email
Ms Ignaitis: tignaitis@seq.org
and/or
Ms Yeager: tyeager@seq.org
Please do not use the link at the bottom of this Newsletter to contact us
College Visits at Sequoia Start This Week! (see below)
College Club starts Tuesday Sept 6th at 4pm.
Students Applying to Four-Year Colleges?
PLEASE ATTEND the Grade Level Meeting on Zoom, Tuesday, August 30 for students and families More information below.
Important Dates and Deadlines
UPCOMING EVENTS/DUE DATES:
Aug 30 - Senior Grade Level IB/4 Year College Meeting
Aug 30 - First College Visit at Sequoia!
Sept 6th- Common App/Common Mistakes Workshops begin.
Oct 20 - Senior Financial Aid Evening
On Wednesdays, join the College & Career Center in the Quad at lunch.
Complete the 2022-2023 Meal Application
Senior Annual Grade Level IB/4 Year College Bound Meeting
August 30th - 6-730 PM
The annual Four-Year College/IB meeting for students and parents/guardians is specifically focused on senior year application and IB process at Sequoia. Ms. McCahon (IB Coordinator) will go over the requirements, deadlines and procedures for the IB Program and IB Diploma.
Ms. Ignaitis/Ms. Yeager (College/Career Advisors) will present information about applying to Four Year Colleges including UC,CSU, Common Application, Out of State Public Colleges, and Coalition. Some of the other topics include:
- How to Officially Request Transcripts if Needed
- Early Action/Early Decision
- Letters of Recommendation that are specific to Sequoia.
All GRADE LEVEL MEETINGS will be:
On Zoom from 6pm -730pm in English
Presented separately for Spanish speaking parents/guardians at 7:00pm
Recorded and posted on the SHS College and Career website
Links will be available on the SHS Calendar and in the Weekly Newsletter
Zoom links are below and on the Sequoia Homepage Calendar.
Senior Portrait Information
College Visits and Beyond and How to Sign Up for a College Visit at Sequoia Signing Up for a College Visit at Sequoia High – READ CAREFULLY
It is a good practice to look at the list of schools visiting Sequoia (or the area) on a regular basis.
- If you want to attend you must follow all the procedures in a timely manner in order to leave class and listen to a thirty-minute presentation in Room 115.
- Students need to sign up at least ONE SCHOOL DAY (ends at 3:45) before the visit.
- There is a deadline on Naviance to avoid students leaving class at the last minute out of respect for the teacher.
- Students who attend should be prepared for the visit.
- If you do not have a class during the visit time, register on Naviance, and let us know when you enter the room
- Colleges visits are updated on Naviance. If there is a college you want to speak to, email sequoiaccc@seq.org and we will try to schedule a visit.
Below are the steps you must follow to attend the visiting college meetings at Sequoia High School:
STEP 1: In your Naviance account, go to the “College” tab on the top bar, click on “College Visits”, to get the complete list OR under “What’s New” on your homepage, select a college you want to visit and click on “Register Now" and it will change to "Registered".
STEP 2: Ask your teacher, of the class you will be missing, permission to leave their class during the time listed on Naviance. IF OK, go to Step 3.
*STEP 3: EITHER PRINT YOUR CONFIRMATION PAGE from your Naviance account
*STEP 4: Have your teacher SIGN THE Confirmation Page or a your pass BEFORE YOU LEAVE CLASS. If you do not a have a signed pass, you will not be admitted.
*You can also show it to your teacher on your phone and have a teacher sign a piece of scratch paper if easier
PROBLEMS –
- If you are not on the list, you will not be admitted EVEN THOUGH your teacher signed a pass.
- If you know you might have printer problems, print the pass in the College and Career Center at lunch the day before the visit.
- The College and /Career Center does not excuse students from a class, only your teacher can allow you to visit
How To Video - Sign Up for a College Visit at Sequoia
Counselors in 12th Grade Social Studies Classes
Counselors will be visiting IB History Year 2 & Government classes on August 31st and September 1st to review post-secondary options. Please try not to miss class!
Working to make up classes?
If you are working on making up classes (D/F grades) for graduation and/or A-G requirements through our online credit recovery program, Edgenuity please know that the lab with Mr. Calles is now open for the 2022-23 school year.
If you are not sure if you need to make-up classes please contact your assigned counselor.
Edgenuity Teacher: Mr. Calles, jcalles@seq.org
Where: Room 210
When: Mondays, 3pm-5pm and Thursdays, 4pm-6pm
**Seniors must be done with their Edgenuity classes by June 2nd, no exceptions.
Fall 2022 Add/Drop Dates
9/28: Last day to add a class or drop a class without penalty.
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)
Washington State University
Tue Aug 30, 8:30 AM
University of Utah
Tue Aug 30, 11:30 AM
Boston University
Fri Sept 2, 10:00 AM
Whitman College
Fri Sept 9, 8:30 AM
Lehigh University
Fri Sept 9, 2022, 11:00 AM
University of British Columbia
Tue Sept 13, 8:00 AM
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus
Tue Sept 13, 2:00 PM
Binghamton University
Wed Sept 14, 7:30 AM
Loyola Marymount University
Wed Sept 14, 8:00 AM
The American University of Paris
Wed Sept 14, 8:30 AM
American University
Wed Sept 14, 9:30 AM
Sarah Lawrence College
Wed Sept 14, 10:00 AM
University of Colorado Boulder
Wed Sept 14, 11:15 AM
Willamette University
Fri Sept 16, 8:00 AM
Merrimack College
Fri Sept 16, 8:30 AM
OTHER COLLEGE EVENTS
“8 of the Best Colleges” Small Liberal Arts Colleges
Sept 12th or 13th
Learn about 8 Highly Selective Liberal Arts Colleges at one event.
Claremont McKenna, Colorado College, Connecticut, Grinnell, Haverford, Kenyon, Macalester, and Sarah Lawrence College will be hosting an informational meeting for students and parents.
To register and for more information.
A great opportunity to learn about small liberal arts colleges!
GENERAL FOUR YEAR COLLEGE INFORMATION
Do I Need a School Report/Letter of Recommendation (SR/LOR) Form? Depends
It is the student’s responsibility to do the research and find out the APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS for each college he/she is thinking of applying to this fall. Counselors and Ignaitis/Yeager do not know all the due dates and requirements for each school. If you asked us, we would most likely have to go to the college/university’s website.
Some Guidelines to Help:
If it is a Common App College exclusive school, yes
If it is a California Public College, no
If it is a Coalition College that needs a school report (SR) and LORs, yes
If it is a Private College with its own application that needs a school report (SR) AND letters of recommendation (LOR), yes
NON Common Application Out of State Public Colleges VARY- have to read requirements
Sometimes the school asks for LORs that do not go through Naviance (teachers will be sent a link) if this is the case, no.
The tricky ones are public colleges that have their own online application and are on the Common App AND do not require a school report (LORs are optional). IF these are the only schools you would list on your SR/LOR Form, then it is less work to not use the Common App. Notables: Univ of Oregon, Oregon State, Univ of AZ, and AZ State
If after reading the requirements on the college’s website and looking at the information on Naviance (submission status), you still need help deciding if you need to use this form, come in and see Ms. Ignaitis or Ms. Yeager.
Specific Four Year College Information By Type
CSU INFORMATION
The CSU Application YOU NEED AS A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL will not be available until October 1st
As a first time freshman, you will need to choose Fall of 2023
If you apply now using Spring of 2023, your application will not be considered.
UC INFORMATION
The UC application for fall 2023 opened August 1. UC encourages students to spend ample time on their application, developing each section to reflect the accomplishments, challenges, opportunities and talents of each student within their own family, school and community context. In addition, the University of California has changed the application filing period. The new filing period will be October 1–November 30. Note: the deadline has not changed.
The UC application provides built-in help and support throughout each section of the application. Applicants can view answers to their commonly asked questions on each page of the application by clicking ‘Help’ on the top navigation bar or by clicking on the blue ‘i’ icons seen throughout the application. Students needing further assistance can contact the UC Application Center via phone or email. The center is available Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (Pacific Time).
(800) 207-1710 (within the U.S.)
(925) 298-6856 (outside the U.S.)
ucinfo@applyucsupport.net (email)
COMMON APPLICATION INFORMATION
Letter of Recommendation Information - What Can You Do Right Now!
At this point, if you know you need a LOR, there are a few important things you can do.
1. Make sure you understand any specific LOR requirements for each college on your list (how many and do they have grade level or subject area requirements?)
2. Ask your teacher in person if possible or in an email.
3. If a teacher agrees, you can complete the Teacher LOR Survey on Naviance (it is a good practice to write your responses on a Google doc and transfer the information)
More specific information about officially requesting teachers on Naviance will be explained at the meeting on August 30th.
COMMUNITY COLLEGE INFORMATION
Careers for Art Majors: Four jobs people are doing with their degrees
Art Therapy – Work with children and adults with disabilities and/or have gone through a traumatic experience. “Art therapy is a way for people to express emotions when they don’t have the word”
EDUCATION: Master of Science, Major – Art Therapy
Graphic Designer – Companies either hirer their own or contract one to design everything from websites to emails
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design
Exhibit Designer – Designing and maintaining exhibits. Industrial designers develop the concepts for manufactured goods for everyday use.
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Industrial Design
Video Game Art Director – Work with game writers and designer to create 2D and 3D visual concepts
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Illustration and Graphic Design
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.
Why do I need one, if I haven’t started the FAFSA Application?
Getting it ahead of time and using it to begin your FAFSA form on fafsa.gov or on the myStudentAid mobile app cuts down on errors and delays.
Does my parent(s)/Guardian(s) need to get one too?
If you’re a dependent student, one of your parents whose information is reported on the FAFSA form will also need an FSA ID so that he or she can sign your application electronically. (It is ok if your parents/guardians do not have SSN)
Where do I go to get an FSA ID?
Get started here!
FAFSA opens Oct 1 but it is quicker to complete if you have a FAFSA ID before you start.
The most important step is that you physically have your Social Security Card with you to make sure create your FAFSA with the exact name and number on your card!
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
Other Resource: 7 Easy Steps to the FAFSA: click here
QuestBridge:The National College Match
Are you a low-income high school senior who has excelled academically, but feels that the nation’s best colleges are financially out of reach? The QuestBridge National College Match can be your pathway to a top college. Through this college and scholarship application process, you can apply for free to the nation’s best colleges and be considered for early admission and a full four-year scholarship. To find out more visit QuestBridge’s website. Applications due Sept 27th.
Project Read- Redwood City Library Volunteer Opportunities
Project Read has some upcoming training for teens who would like to volunteer on September 13 and 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)
Youth Advisory Board: Teen Resource Center
Wellness Peer Advocates: Teen Resource Center
This is a student run club focusing on topics around healthy relationships, boundaries, mental health, conflict resolution skills and more. We focus on the wellbeing of students as a whole- physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. We meet Tuesdays after school. Join us in bringing awareness to Sequoia High School! To apply go to this link.
FREE ONLINE art classes at Foothill College
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
CONTESTS
Menlo Country Club is Looking for Servers and Bussers
BENEFITS Competitive Wages Complimentary Meals While on Duty Flexible Scheduling Hospitality Training Fun, Family-Oriented Work Environment Golf Privileges (in accordance with the club’s policies) Holiday Bonus Potential
HOW TO APPLY Please submit your current resume and a cover letter explaining your interest to James Shafer, Clubhouse Manager, at JShafer@menlocc.com
Studio Host for San Carlos Yoga Studio
Must Be 16yrs old
Yoga Health Center in downtown San Carlos at 677 Laurel Street ia a community-based culture and are seeking a studio host that is a customer service pro with great energy to help our studio soar and provide students with a phenomenal experience.
Part time, minimum of 8-hours / wk
Salary: From $17.00 per hour
If interested, can apply by calling or texting 650-209-0703 or sending an email to mila@yogahealthcenter.com
(Flier with more information in College and Career Center)
Hummingbird Music School is looking for talented high school musicians to join our team of Music Teachers!
Part-time work is available teaching private lessons (in all instruments) in-person or online and teaching group Piano Classes or group Ukulele Classes at local San Carlos Redwood City and Menlo Park elementary schools. Pay is $45/hour for private lessons and $60/hour for group classes. Please apply online at http://hummingbirdmusicschool.com/about
(Flier with more information in College and Career Center)
How To Videos for students now on our website!
Past Newsletters
August 21-27 Newsletter Click Here
CAREER: O'NET Career Resource, 4 YR GENERAL - Importance of College Visit