Sequoia College & Career Newsletter
Week of October 18-24, 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
October 20 - Make Up SR/LOR meeting
October 22 - Make Up SR/LOR meeting
November 4 - Cash for College
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
Seniors: Missed the SR/LOR Request Meetings?
Regular Admissions SR/LOR Requests make-up sessions to review request & process for SR/LOR requests Regular Admissions:
October 20
3:30pm with Ms. Wilde
Zoom link: https://seq-org.zoom.us/j/95079705781
October 22
1:00 pm with Ms. Flores
Zoom Link: https://seq-org.zoom.us/j/98788903077
Seniors: Get College Application Help
Seniors get your questions answered, help starting and completing your college applications and avoid any mistakes by joining us for Common App, UC and CSU application workshops this month.
Below are three ways to get help:
- Drop in on zoom on Tuesdays 4-5 pm for College Club or
- Join us for College Application Workshops or
- 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.
Missed our Financial Aid Night?
English click here. Passcode: G*Q4owq4
Español sera disponible pronto.
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!
Mon October 19, 2020
7:30 AM
Mon October 19, 2020
8:00 AM
Mon October 19, 2020
3:00 PM
University of California-Irvine
Tue October 20, 2020
8:00 AM
University of California, San Diego
Tue October 20, 2020
3:00 PM
Wed October 21, 2020
8:30 AM
Wed October 21, 2020
10:30 AM
Wed October 21, 2020
1:00 PM
Thu October 22, 2020
8:00 AM
University of Southern California
Thu October 22, 2020
4:00 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 and Workshops)
University of Toronto
Oct 17-25
Fall Campus Week. Register here
University of the Pacific
Oct 17
Fall Open House. Register here
Virtual Women in Engineering Day
Oct. 21 and 28
10 a.m. - 12 p.m. PST
University of Idaho WIE Day is a free virtual workshop for 11th and 12th-grade high school students designed to build on existing interests in math and science, all while exploring possibilities within engineering and computer science at the University of Idaho (Attend even if not interested in University of Idaho at this time). Register Here
UC Admissions Night
Oct 29
7 - 8:30 PM
Join UCB, UCSB, UCSD, UCD, and UCSC go over the UC System and do a live Q&A. Register Here
University of the Pacific
October 22
5:30 – 8:15 pm
Did you know that UOP gives two Sequoia high school seniors full-ride scholarships each year? Attend to learn more about the school: Register Here
Join Canadian Universities for a Virtual Information Session!
Oct 4 - Nov 4
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 8 - 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. Learn more and register here.
NACAC Virtual College Fairs
Nov 8
More than 600 colleges and universities will offer Zoom sessions and meetings. Students everywhere can log in, drop-in, and ask questions 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
The Future of College Admission: More Questions, A Range of Answers?
SUHSD Parent Ed Series
Oct 29
12 pm - 1 pm
The current president of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) will be interviewed by our local retired college advisor from M-A, Alice Kleeman. Parents, guardians, and students are welcome to attend! Register Here
UC For You: Insights From Under-Represented Communities on UC Campuses
October 24
10 am - 12 pm
Students, parents, UC faculty and staff will share their experiences and insight on opportunities and options for students in the African-American, Native American, and ChicanX/LatinX communities on our campuses. This session is intended for students and their parents interested in learning about how UC campus's academic and affinity resource centers support and strengthen the history, culture and well-being of students of color Register Here
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
Financial Aid Night
Recording of the presentation in English can be found here
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
General 4 Year College Information
EVERY COLLEGE IS DIFFERENT
- Deadlines for Test Scores and School Documents: For some, the deadline is when it must be sent by, and for others, it is when it must be in their possession.
- Remember not all schools need the same documents!
IF SUBMITTING A TRANSCRIPT
- Send Now for Non-Common Application Schools that Require Them
- If a school requires a transcript, you must request one on Naviance. It can take up to 5 school days to send, so do not wait.
- For help watch: How to Request a Transcript/What Colleges Need a Transcript Video Clip
- Remember CSU, UC, Common Application, University of Washington - DO NOT NEED TRANSCRIPTS!
IF SUBMITTING TEST SCORES
- DEC is the last exam UC will accept (All CSU, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine and UC Santa Cruz are not using SAT/ACT for ADMISSIONS)
- The student is responsible to send scores through ACT or College Board
- UC - Send to one UC and all will receive
- Common Application (CA) or Private College that Requires School Report- Send to each individual college, Check individual college for the due date. NOTE Some schools only ask you to self report
- Out of State of Public College (non-CA) - Send to each individual college and Check individual college for the due date
COMMON APPLICATION
ADDING HIGH SCHOOL COURSES ON THE COMMON APP
Some colleges are requiring you to write in your high school coursework.
Please watch this short how-to video to learn more: How to Enter Your Coursework
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
Maximizing the use of the "Additional Comments" sections
Applicants can use the first additional comments box, following the “Academic History” section, to explain their course selection decisions, a circumstance that prevented the student from taking more rigorous courses, gaps in education, or a situation that affected their grades.
The second comment area immediately follows the “personal insight questions” section. Applicants may choose to provide information about a learning difference, circumstances or opportunities that had a significant impact on their educational journey, or uncommon events that provide context for what they've accomplished or was unable to accomplish.
The two additional comments boxes in the application are optional and should not be used as a continuation of a student’s personal insight question responses. Instead, students should use this section to explain anything that has not been discussed in other parts of the application or might benefit from further.
CSU INFORMATION
Have you started your CSU application? If not, watch this CSU application video recording from College Club to get started!
Still wondering where to apply? Check out the CSU Campus Match tool online to Explore the 23 campuses of the California State University by location, setting, size, and sports to find the school that’s perfect for you.
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
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
Energy Usage Reduction Challenge with Prizes!
Climate change is here, and it’s bad news: 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:
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!
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 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!
How To Videos for students now on our website!
How to Request a Transcript for a Scholarship on Naviance
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!
Watch this how-to video for additional help
All Newsletters Available Online!
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
Oct 11-17 2020 Newsletter
Reimagining the Application Process Under Covid-19
CSU - College- Dual Enrollment Coursework
UC - What leadership looks like? IB Exams
Common Application - The Interview
FA- Net Price Calculator and Creating FAFSA ID