Sequoia College & Career Newsletter
Week of October 11 -17 2020
Welcome Students & Families
Scroll through for important grade level announcements, dates/deadlines, virtual college visits/events, financial aid, Senior information, student opportunities, scholarships and more!
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
Oct. 15 - Senior Financial Aid Night - 6pm (English and Spanish Meeting Zoom Links below)
Oct. 17 - Senior Cash For College - (English and Spanish Meeting Zoom Links below)
Tuesdays, 4 pm! Have questions? Need help with College applications? Drop by College Club: Join us on zoom!
Mondays - Thursdays, 3:45 pm- Need homework help? Take advantage of the online tutoring sessions available through zoom!
DUE DATE
Nov 6th - LAST Day to Submit your SR/LOR form for application deadlines AFTER Dec 15th
Senior Virtual Financial Aid Night
October 15th
7 - 8:30 PM
For a community college, trade school, and 4Yr Bound Seniors – In Spanish and English.
A former financial aid officer from Stanford University will present online. You will get to hear Mary Morrison’s entertaining presentation on financial aid including
the FAFSA, DreamAct, CSS Profile, and Cal Grant. She will also be able to answer all your
questions. The Spanish presentation hosted by Canada College will take place at the same time.
For presentation in English please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://seq-org.zoom.us/j/93361745464?pwd=TE00ZkZYWW1VSDk2YTFoY0ZGT3hxUT09
Passcode: 965878
For presentation in Spanish please click the link below to join the webinar:
Senior Cash for College Event
Saturday, October 17th
8:30 - 12 pm
Do you need help completing the FAFSA or Dream Application?
We are having a workshop that will go over common errors, answer questions, and work with you individually to complete the required financial aid forms.
Applying for the FAFSA or Dream Application requires both the student and a parent/guardian to officially submit and it is best if both can be together while applying.
Below is the schedule and Zoom links for 10/17/20
8:30 am- 9:30 am: FSA ID and Dream Act Account (if you already have one, start at 9:30)
9:30 am- 10:00 am: FA Presentation
10:00 am- noon- Hands-on workshop
FAFSA:
Canada Staff: Olivia and Yasmin
Link: https://smccd.zoom.us/j/98218902161?pwd=a2EzeSs3ZjNLd3BKUDRKZDlnclJ5Zz09&from=msft
Dream Act:
Canada Staff: Patty and Mayra
Link: https://smccd.zoom.us/j/5917533286
Please get the following documents ready NOW:
Get YOUR Social Security Card
If you worked, 2019 W2 form and Federal Income Tax Returns if completed
Parents Information - If married, you will need both parents info even if it is a step-parent
Are they married/divorced/separated? Month and Year
Parent(s) birth date: Day, Month and Year
Parent(s) SSN: Look at it to make sure you know the EXACT name that is on the card(s)
Parent(s) 2019 Federal Income Tax Returns
Parent(s) 2019 W2 forms (usually stapled with their taxes)
College Rep Visits This Week
SENIORS keep in mind that you should make every effort to attend College Rep visits hosted by Sequoia or another school in our district as it allows for a bit of an advantage to personally get to know the school’s admissions’ representatives - sometimes the very people who will be reading your applications!
Tue Oct 13 8:00 AM
Tue Oct 13 3:00 PM
Thu Oct 15 8:00 AM
Thu Oct 15 3:00 PM
Fri Oct 16 8:00 AM
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 and Workshops)
NACAC Virtual College Fairs
Oct 12th
Oct 18th
Nov 8th
On each fair date, more than 600 colleges and universities will offer Zoom sessions and meetings. Students everywhere can log in, drop in, and ask questions
Exploring the Higher Education Experience at Five Colorado Universities
Oct 14th @ 3-4PM
On October 14th from 3PM-4PM PST
Representatives from University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado State University Pueblo, and Colorado State University Fort Collins will be hosting a joint presentation. “We will discuss the college experience in Colorado, and each present our own respective universities”
University of Washington - Husky Preview
Oct 14 - 16 (daily 4 - 6 pm)
With more than 180 majors at the UW, many paths can lead from a single interest. The program that’s right for you might be one you haven’t considered (or even heard of) yet. Join them to explore your options, hear from departments, and get your questions answered. Learn more and register here.
Catholic Colleges Virtual Fair
October 15th@ 4:30-6:30PM
Fall for Tufts
Sept 19th- Oct 17th
Offering a series of programming to better understand Tufts and the competitive admissions process
Space is limited, learn more and Register Here
University of the Pacific
October 22nd @5:30pm – 8:15pm
Did you know that UOP gives two Sequoia high school seniors full-ride scholarships each year?
Attend to learn more about the school
Join Canadian Universities for a Virtual Information Session!
Oct 4 - Nov 4th
Connect with 10 of Canada’s notable universities, Bishop's University, Dalhousie University, McMaster University, Mount Allison University, Ryerson University, St. Thomas University, University of Guelph, University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, York University Learn Everything you need to know about applying to and studying in Canada! Learn more and Register Here
University of Washington - Help with Coalition Application Webinars
Oct 8th - Nov 12th (Thurs 4 - 5pm)
Applying to UW? Hear directly from an admissions counselor about how to complete the Coalition Profile and get tips for essay writing and more. Learn more and register here.
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. Learn more and register here!
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
TeensVolunteer.org
FREE website that helps teens find volunteer opportunities in the Bay Area. This organization was founded by high school students at Berkeley High School. For more information TeensVolunteer.org
Energy Usage Reduction Challenge with Prizes!
Climate change is here, and it’s bad news: NASA says we’ve already acidified our ocean, melted large portions of the arctic, and increased extreme weather events. Catastrophes will continue unless we drastically reduce our emissions.
Do something for the planet by participating in our Energy Usage Reduction Challenge. Simply take a picture of you doing something to save energy and upload it to the google form to be entered in a raffle to win prizes like a solar phone charger, eco-friendly chocolate, and books!
The submission deadline is October 31st:
Project Read
Students that have gone through the project read volunteer training and have experience with Project Read can sign up again! Tutors are needed to virtually support learners.
Visit their website to learn more and sign up!
National Hispanic Institute (NHI)
The National Hispanic Institute (NHI), a 501(c)3 nonprofit, is actively seeking additional college/university and high school partners. NHI provides high school 9th-11th-grade Latinx/a/o students with opportunities to participate in and benefit from internationally recognized leadership training and learning experiences. These opportunities serve to reinforce students’ commitment to strong academic performance, expand their networks in higher education, and choice to make community civic leadership an important part of their overall development.
Visit their website to learn more about how to get involved!
FAFSA STEP 1 - Create a FSA ID
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.
Where do I go to get an FSA ID?
Get started here!
Net Price Calculator
Net Price is the amount that a student pays to attend an institution in a single academic year AFTER subtracting scholarships and grants the student receives. Scholarships and grants are forms of financial aid that a student does not have to pay back.
What is a Net Price Calculator?
Net price calculators are available on a college’s or university’s website and allow prospective students to enter information about themselves to find out what students like them paid to attend the institution in the previous year, after taking grants and scholarship aid into account.
Where can look up my prospective colleges' net price calculator?
Here are a few online resources:
- Ca. Student Aid Commission California Colleges Calculators
- For international schools visit their Financial Aid section on their website
Check out this video to learn more about Net Price!
Application Help and Virtual SHS Workshops
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:
1. Drop in on zoom on Tuesdays 4-5pm for College Club or
2. Join us for College Application Workshops on these days/times: PDF with workshop dates/times or
3. Students can also make Individual Appointments via Calendly with college counselors by clicking on their corresponding counselor’s name below.
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.
General 4 Year College Information
Changes in the Application Process Due to COVID-19
Ms Rocha and Ms. Ignaitis have spoken to all the college representatives that have visited SHS virtually. 100% have assured us that Test Optional means you do not need to submit test scores. Most realize that some students did take either the SAT or the ACT so they will accept them but they also understand that the majority of students did not have the opportunity so they will focus on other factors.
Reimagining the Application Process Under Covid-19 NACAC 2020 Conference
(Tulane, Bowdoin, and USC Directors of Admissions)
They realize there is a lot of student and family anxiety that colleges will not understand what they have been going through especially about activities, grades, and testing due to Covid-19.
Their answer:
"9/11, Katrina, Wildfires have been challenges in the past that affected some but COVID-19 has affected all - Colleges Understand because it is a “lived experience.” They are experiencing it with their families as well.
UCLA Director of Admissions
“Worry about what you can control and not about things you can’t control. Tell us about what you did and not about what you could not do.”
Paraphrase from our reader from the University of Chicago explaining the application review without test scores.
“Think of application like a pizza; the crust and sauce are the foundation (your transcripts and rigor) and then there are the many topping- supplements, activities, honors (testing is just one of the toppings). The pizza is still good even without one of the toppings (SAT).”
COMMON APPLICATION
College Tip of the Week!
The Interview
If you have the opportunity to interview with a school, you should. You need to look to see how each school gives interviews. Do this early because they tend to fill up if it is optional. This year more college representatives have said that if you have the opportunity to interview you should.
Tulane Direct of Admissions - “Usually it is truly optional but this year I think students should interview” He has interviewed over 400 students this year and most have been positive, some have been neutral and no interview has had a negative impact on the applicant.
Also, some colleges are now using “Pop Up Videos.” The colleges that are using them say this is a great way to learn about the applicant. Students are given a question on the spot and need to speak about it for a couple of minutes. Questions like - talk about someone who did something nice to you this week. Nothing you can’t answer and nothing polished (many videos have family members and pets interrupting and that is ok)
Sequoia School Information for Common Application
For the Education – Grades Section of the Common Application
Graduating Class Size: 493
Class Rank Report: None
GPA Scale Reporting: 4
Cumulative GPA: Correct GPA is now on your transcript on IC
GPA Weighting: Weighted
UC INFORMATION
Please Check Individual Websites for Virtual Events and Upcoming Open Houses
Cal Berkeley - Oct 17th
What leadership looks like?
“Be Berkeley” has a bunch of great resources to understand what UC are looking for in their applicants. Even if you are not planning on applying to Berkeley, this site provides you with great help. Click here and scroll down to the bottom of the page for the leadership information
IB EXAMS - From UC
UC did award credit for IB “scores” received in May 2020, even though they were not technically exam scores. Students should report those scores on the application as exam scores; our campuses are aware of the modifications that were made to various external exams during the spring 2020 term.
For the Guide on How to List IB Exams on Applications on Sequoia’s website Click Here
CSU INFORMATION
From CSUapply
College- Dual Enrollment Coursework - If students have taken college classes while in high school on their own or through a formal dual enrollment program, they should specify on the application that they are graduating high school senior with college credit. Any college courses taken that will appear on a college transcript should be reported on the College Coursework page. For more information please see the College-Dual Enrollment Coursework Guidance.
COMMUNITY COLLEGE INFORMATION
There are three community colleges in San Mateo County: Canada College, College of San Mateo and Skyline College. These Colleges serve more than 31,000 students each year and offer the first two years of instruction in a wide variety of degree and transfer programs, as well as vocational-technical programs.
The traditional four-year college experience isn't for everyone. Some students aren't sure what they want to study, while others are looking for a more affordable education. Many students study for two years at community college before transferring to a four-year college, saving significant money on tuition.
Eligibility to Apply:
High School Diploma or equivalent
Anyone 18 years of age or older
OTHER INFORMATION
Do you want to vote but don't know how? - Message From the Teen Wellness Center
Do you want to vote but don't know how? Read our introduction for first-time voters! Learn how to register to vote online, with simple, understandable instructions, written by youth for youth!
Click this Link to the slideshow
SENIOR Scholarship of the Week!
Sequoia Awards
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 more information and scholarship application click here!
DEADLINE NOVEMBER 30
How To Videos for students now on our website!
All Newsletters Available Online!
September 20-26 Newsletter
Understand How Each UC Admits Students
Requesting Initial Transcript
September 27 - October 3 Newsletter
UC - How to Enter Semester of Pass/No Pass
Why complete the FAFSA or Dream Application
General 4 Yr- Adding colleges on Naviance
Oct 4-10 2020 Newsletter
Demonstrated Interest - The Good and Bad Articles
FAFSA ID
UC - How to Present Yourself
CSU - Researching Majors