Senior College & Career Newsletter
January 22-28, 2023
Welcome Students & Families
Scroll through for important information regarding College/Career
How to reach us?
For general questions and inquiries please email (Please do not use the link at the bottom of this Newsletter to contact us)
Ms Ignaitis: tignaitis@seq.org
All HCA, Study Skills Students and Last names A-L
and/or
Ms Yeager: tyeager@seq.org
All DAA, ELD Students and Last names M-Z
Important Dates and Deadlines
UPCOMING EVENTS/DUE DATES:
Jan 31st: MYR will be sent out by end of the month
January 23-February 7 CSF Application Period (See information below)
Feb 2nd - Senior Community College Fair and Information Night (More Info Next Week)
Feb 4th - Cash for College at SHS - Complete your FAFSA/Dream App (More Info Next Week)
January-March- Various CSU Applications Deadlines (see 'CSU Section)
March 2 - Priority Deadline for FAFSA/Dream Application
March 2 - Deadline for Cal Grant (Last Day to Submit FAFSA/Dream Financial Aid Application for Cal Grant Eligibility)
CSF APPLICATION PERIOD FOR Fall 2022 Grades Open Until Feb 7th
Due February 7th
DIRECTIONS
The application must be completed and turned in by the STUDENT ONLY!
Go to the College and Career’s CSF webpage for application form, course list, and more information or pick up a copy outside of the College and Career Center
Applications must be turned in by Tuesday, February 7th.
NO Late Applications, NO Exceptions! Please complete it early!
If you need help completing the application form, come to College and Career Center at lunch
SENIORS: To be a Life Member you must have been a member 4 of the 6 semesters during 10th through 12th grade (ONE of those four semesters must be during your senior year).
Benefits of Becoming Life Member Now
Your name will be in the pool for a random drawing for a $300.00 scholarship
You could be considered for CSF Seymour Award Scholarship nomination
IF you want to be considered for this scholarship - turn in your Naviance Resume along with your application by Feb 3rd to the College and Career Center.
Class of 2023 SHS Senior Class Scholarship Available Now
Due: Feb 28th
All Sequoia seniors can now apply for the 2023 SHS Senior Class Scholarship available on Naviance. By applying, you are eligible for over 20 scholarships that will be awarded by the senior scholarship committee. To access the scholarship application, go to Naviance →About Me → Surveys from my school and complete the “2023 SHS Senior Class Scholarship.”
Need Help Applying to College and Financial Aid?
We are suspending College Club and Moving to FLEX Application Help or Drop In Support (still can come during 7th)
You can also make an individual appointment by coming into the College and Career Center for Financial Aid (FAFSA/Dream App) or College Applications (we are available Tuesday evenings by appointment only)
Our goal is to get something done every week and we hope to see you there!
If you have questions, please come to College and Career Center.
Boys and Girls Club Senior Support
Hosting financial aid office hours beginning in January at both the EPA and Redwood City Boys & Girls Clubs on Wednesdays from 3-7 pm until March 2nd. These financial aid office hours are open to ALL STUDENTS who have questions or need support with submitting the California Dream Act or the FAFSA.
Girls in Economics Presentation
Thursday, January 26th Zoom
Girls in Economics’ first speaker of 2023, Professor of Economics at Princeton University, Janet Currie! Professor Currie is the Henry Putnam Professor of Economics and Public Affairs at Princeton University and the Co-director of Princeton's Center for Health and Wellbeing. She also co-directs the Program on Families and Children at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Currie is a pioneer in the economic analysis of child development.
Professor Currie will be discussing her research on mental health, and her path to this section of economics. She will also share her experience as a woman in the field. Register to attend HERE, and JOIN US in welcoming Professor Currie on Thursday, January 26th at 7:30 PM by clicking on the Zoom link below.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://sidwell-edu.zoom.us/j/81173106710?pwd=eWhSbGgxSGF3S1luN0xXN3MvcWpsZz09
Meeting ID: 811 7310 6710
Passcode: JuC!4HMk61
Sequoia Cash for College Event
Saturday Feb 4th 8:30am-11:30am
If you need help with completing your FAFSA or Dream Application, come to College & Career Center on Saturday Feb 4th 8:30am-11:30am
It is important to bring the necessary documents (2021 taxes and W2) and at least one parent/guardian. Fill-out this worksheet ahead of time to make the process easier (English, Spanish)
Attend our Community College Fair and Information Evening on February 2nd from 7-8:30pm
Sequoia Community College Night
Sequoia High School will hold a Community College Night for seniors and their families on Thursday, February 2nd 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.
It is important that all students submit their FAFSA/Dream Application to qualify for the Promise Scholarship or New San Mateo County Grant - which pays for first two years of college!
CHECK YOUR PORTALS! and REMINDERS
Check your portals and emails often and do not wait to respond!
College are expecting you to be checking both your emails and portals AT LEAST once a week at this point.
When you get a TO DO item, complete the task ASAP!
Reporting D/F or Changes in Your Application
You must report any Ds or Fs on your 7th semester transcripts OR changes in course work you reported on your Fall application. Either call or email to find out what the procedure for each specific school
IF you do not do this step and you are admitted, your admission will likely be taken away if you decide to go there, when they require your final transcripts
7th Semester Transcripts can be viewed on Infinite Campus
Specific Instruction for UC and CSU in their respective sections.
Need to remove a college from your Naviance List?
If you withdrew an application or are no longer planning to apply to a college, please complete this form so that the College and Career Center can remove it from your list.
7th Semester Transcript Information/Who Needs to Request a Transcript
January 20: Uploaded to Naviance and Available on Infinite Campus
January 31: MYR will be sent out
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 or Ms Yeager a screenshot and we 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. (if requested, send transcript request through Naviance)
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 (if requested, send transcript request through Naviance)
Specific Four Year College Information By Type
Changes to a Submitted Application
When a student submits their first application to any campus, regardless of the priority deadline, students will not be able to make any changes to any subsequent application. If students need to report any corrections, please have them contact the campuses they applied to directly.
You've Applied to the CSU: Now What?
Share this article with your students who already submitted their applications and are wondering what to expect in the near future
CSU Financial Aid Website
Eighty percent of students at the California State University receive some type of financial aid. Take advantage of the financial aid resources for students on our Cal State Financial Aid website.
CSU Application Deadline EXTENDED for Some Schools
EOP Deadlines
Students who expressed interest and the intention to apply to the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) on Cal State Apply for fall 2023 should check individual campus EOP application and documents deadlines on the EOP Admission by Term website. Document deadlines include letter of recommendations. Students can still go back into Cal State Apply to indicate they are interested in applying for EOP if they haven’t missed the campus deadline.
UC Merced deadline extended
The deadline to apply to the University of California, Merced for Fall 2023 has been extended to Jan. 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. PST for both first year and transfer students.
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 2022 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:
Campus instructions & websites for reporting changesChange your major in a UC application- varies by school
From UCLA Admissions
What is the deadline to requests a major change once the filing period has closed?
A. Applicants can change into any major in the College of Letters & Science and School of Engineering by January 31, 2023.
Applicants cannot change majors into the School of Arts & Architecture, School of Music, School or Nursing, or School of Theater Film and Television after November 30.
Major change requests should be submitted here.
Canceling/withdrawing a UC application (From UC Counselor Bulletin)
Did you get in ED or EA and have decided to attend a specific college?
Each campus has specific instructions for their individual process if an applicant wishes to cancel or withdraw their application from further consideration. This only applies to students canceling or withdrawing prior to admission.
See campus instructions for canceling/withdrawing a UC application.Mid-Year Reports (MYR) Information
MYR will be submitted by Tuesday, January 31st
Common Application Schools Require a Mid-Year Report (MYR) Information
What is a MYR?
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 submitted a SR/LOR Form to your counselor and 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 need to speak to your counselor about some personal situation that should be included in your MYR, please make an appointment right away.
Non Common Application Private Colleges
If you had a school report sent to a non- Common Application college, send an email to your counselor ASAP, if a MYR is required.
Community College Help and Information
1. If you know your Social Security Number drop by the College and Career Center any lunch or sign up for Flex Time to apply - it takes 30 minutes!
2. Attend our Community College Fair and Information Evening on February 2nd from 7-8:30pm
(details Next Week) - Canada, San Mateo, Skyline, Foothill and hopefully De Anza will be there.
3. There will also be scheduled college application workshops during the school day with CSM, Canada and Foothill
4. It is important that all students submit their FAFSA/Dream Application to qualify for the Promise Scholarship/San Mateo County Resident Initiative - which pays for first two years of college!
Interested in a Career Related to Marine Mammals?
Attend Virtual Stewardship Saturday
January 28th
The Marine Mammal Center is hosting a virtual Stewardship Saturday this month! Stewardship Saturday allows high schoolers to participate in a free, monthly event to become more involved with the Center’s work and learn how to make a difference for the ocean and marine mammals. It features rotating themes exploring the science of The Marine Mammal Center, shadowing careers related to marine mammals, venturing through various natural spaces associated with marine mammals, creating action projects, and more.
Students will be required to register for this event on our website in order to attend.VIRTUAL Cash for College Events from California Student Aid Commission
The California Student Aid Commission is pleased to announce the continuation of statewide Cash for College workshops aimed to provide information to help students and families complete the 2023-24 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA).
• The webinars are FREE and open to all students and families applying for financial aid. We will have volunteers answering questions throughout the session via chat box (general questions only) and one-on-one assistance on a phone line after the webinar.
• Students can register for the webinars here. Current available webinars include:
January 25, 2023 – 5:30pm – 7:00pm
February 8, 2023 – 5:30pm – 7:00pm
February 22, 2023 – 5:30pm – 7:00pm
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.
If you know the EXACT name and number on your Social Security Card, please sign up for Flextime in the College and Career Center to get your FAFSA ID. Students without a SSN, please come in and start the Dream Application.
FAFSA - DUE MARCH 2, 2023
For students with a Social Security Number
-or-
CA Dream Act- DUE MARCH 2, 2023
For students without a Social Security Number.
Click for Financial Aid Information: English or Espanol
Other Resource: 7 Easy Steps to the FAFSA: click here
NEW UPDATED SCHOLARSHIP AND CONTEST LIST AVAILABLE
Lists are available in the bin outside of the College and Career Center or by clicking on the purple banner above this message.
Scholarship Opportunities
The majority of scholarship opportunities are available from January to the beginning of April.
Click on the purple bar above to get to the updated list of scholarships listed in Naviance
Bay Area All-Star Scholarship Nomination Form - NEED TO ACT NOW
Nomination Info Needs to Be Completed by Jan 23rd
Safe Jobs for Youth Month Poster Contest
Due: Jan 27th
Design a poster highlighting job safety and health for teens. See website for details.Jobs for Youth Al Teglia Scholarship program
The Jobs for Youth Al Teglia Scholarship program provides 20 youth with $2,000 each. Scholars are selected for financial and personal need, and all Scholars demonstrate a clear desire to succeed. The program is open to Jobs for Youth Members ages 16-21 who reside in San Mateo County. Applicants must be at least a junior in high school and have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA. Go here to apply.
InspirASIAN, a non-profit Employee Group at AT&T, is seeking qualified applicants for our 2023 National InspirASIAN Scholarship Program.
Due January 31st
The scholarship program is open to all high school seniors graduating in 2023 with a minimum GPA of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale. Information about our scholarship program, the link to download the scholarship application, and the process to submit the scholarship application can be found at our web site https://inspirasian.us/scholarships .
Interested applicants can view previous scholars from recent years here:
Princeton Prize in Race Relations
Due: Jan 31st
Submit Your Writing to DePaul’s Blue Book: Best American High School Writing 2022
Deadline: Jan 31st
Best American High School Writing is a one-of-its-kind annual anthology featuring the best writing from high school students from across the United States. The collection is both a digital and print anthology.
Each year, the Blue Book features outstanding student work from high school literary magazines (poetry, fiction and essays), school newspapers (narrative journalism, profiles and feature writing), and new media (digital stories, narrative videos, podcasts and other forms of audio storytelling). We also feature a special section each year—for 2022, the section is “Defining a New Generation.” We encourage and include Spanish-language pieces in all of the above categories.
Submit student work via DePaul’s Blue Book Submissions.
Being selected to this national anthology would certainly enhance any student’s college applications. I hope it will also inspire selected students to continue to pursue writing in college.
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
2023 EngineerGirl Writing Contest
Due February 1st
2023 Topic: Write a 750 word essay- Imagine how new innovations related to one of the 20 Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century will be different as more women and non-white engineers are involved in designing solutions.
Open to all high school students! More Information and Application Here.
Two Renewable Scholarship Opportunities for Sequoia High School Students from Low Income Households
Peninsula College Fund 4 YR Renewable Scholarship
Scholarship Due Date: Feb 17th
The Peninsula College Fund is excited to begin the application process for the 2023 PCF Scholarship Program! PCF is a scholarship given to multiple Sequoia students each year. Students need to have a 2.8-3.8 UNweighted GPA, plan to attend a four-year college, and come from a low-income family(documented).
This is a four-year renewable scholarship and a great opportunity!
Pursuit of Excellence Scholarship
Scholarship Due date: Feb. 28th
This scholarship is renewable (you get money for all four years in college) and has strict income guidelines around $65,000. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 It is local and every year more than one senior from Sequoia receives this scholarship.
Are you applying to a college that requires a nomination from Sequoia for scholarships or programs?
Important Process Below:
When you are researching colleges to apply to, check to see if they have scholarships and programs that require nominations.
For example, Davidson College has the Belk Scholarships which provides 8 full-ride scholarships to students who are selected. Also, Washington University in St. Louis has the Danforth Scholars Program that awards partial and full-tuition scholarships based on merit and does not consider need as part of the award process. Both of these examples require being nominated in order to apply.
Stanford Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Internship (STARS)
Due January 31st
Must be 16 years old
7 week summer internship program (must be able to commit for the whole time period)
Each year, Science, Technology and Reconstructive Surgery (STARS) host a group of talented young individuals who are interested in the fields of healthcare and research. In our laboratory, these interns work side-by-side with experienced clinician/scientist mentors and peers who will challenge, inspire, and guide them on their first steps toward a career in healthcare.
We look to identify individuals that possess tenacity and drive, enthusiasm, and curiosity. Every scientist, entrepreneur, inventor, and creator will tell you that inquisitiveness, that willingness to think in new and different ways, is a valuable characteristic. For more information, go here.
Healthy Cities Tutoring is Recruiting Volunteers
Become a Healthy Cities Tutor and join our community of volunteers to provide one-on-one tutoring and mentoring to a public school student to improve their academic performance, engagement in learning, and self-esteem. Tutoring sessions are held in-person, once a week for 45 minutes to an hour, on school campus or at a public library.
For 25 years Healthy Cities Tutoring has provided tutoring services to thousands of students in need. Following two years of pandemic, students are falling further and further behind in school. We need volunteers more than ever!!!!!
We hope you or someone you know will get involved in this rewarding volunteer experience.
No tutoring experience required, we can provide training. 8th grade and high school students are welcome to tutor with us. Students can receive community service hours, and use the experience for resume building and college applications.
Adult tutors are always welcome!!!
It only takes one hour a week to make a positive impact on a child’s life.
Please check out our website for the volunteer application https://healthycities.site/
Or contact Janelle Gibson, HCT Program Coordinator at 415-793-1064 or Janelle@healthycitiestutoring.org
Interested in Working with Rescue Dogs?
DPS Rescue is searching for new volunteers for our biweekly events in Palo Alto! We welcome volunteers of all experience levels and backgrounds, ages 14+, and offer community service credits/sign-offs if needed. Complete form on their website. Doggie Protective Services
Volunteer Tutoring at Siena Youth Center
One-on-one tutoring with elementary and/or middle school students (typically in reading but some also need support in math and other areas). This would be a weekly occurrence after 3:15pm on the weekdays. Sessions are normally 30 minutes. If interested, email mselizabeth@holyfamilyschoolrwc.org
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
Goetz Bros. Sporting Goods (P/T) Sales Associates
Goetz Bros. Sporting Goods is looking for part time sales associates. Individuals must be available weekday afternoons and Saturdays. No experience is necessary. Applicants should have a good attitude, be personable and reliable. Hours are flexible and normally average between 6-10 hours a week. Please contact Brent Goetz (brent@goetzsports.com) with any questions or to apply.
Foley Electric in RWC Needs Warehouse Workers
Must be 16 years old or older
Over the last two decades Foley Electric Inc has hired several of your high school students to help run our warehouse. Several of these men have gone on to become field electricians. I am once again looking to hire one or two of your student's part time after their school day is completed. Our hourly wage is $17 an hour. Work schedule is very flexible. Looking for hardworking mechanically inclined students.
Please contact John Philpott 650-369-2878
Front Office Assistant (P/T)(Bilingual Spanish) Needed
Duties: Filing, Telephones, Giving Appointments etc.
Timings: After School and Weekends
Contact: Walk-in Siva Cherukuri DDS 198 Arch St Redwood City (Across the street from Sequoia HS) or
email: sivasch@hotmail.com
Lifeguard and Swim Instructors at YMCA
Lifeguard and swim instructor positions available at our local YMCA. Min age 15 for lifeguard and 16 for swim instructors. Pay starts at $20/hour. Apply by scanning QR on the flyers or go here: ymcasv.org/jobs and apply to the appropriate YMCA.
Learningtech.org looking for part-time Administrative Aide
Learningtech.org in San Carlos has an opening for a part-time Administrative Aide, 6-8 hours/week. Pay starts at $15/hr. Come by the College and Career Center to get application information.
Interested in lifeguarding? Cañada College hiring Lifeguards
We are looking for lifeguards at the Aquatics Center at Cañada College. Minimum age is 18 and need to have some swimming experience; If you aren’t already lifeguard certified then we do offer the certification class for free. Contact Audrey Gaddis gaddisa@smccd.edu for more information.
Mathnasium of Redwood City, a Math-Only Learning Center
Looking for high school students with exceptional math skills through Algebra I and Geometry to join our team! We offer competitively paid part-time jobs at Sequoia Station with flexible scheduling and ongoing training opportunities. Our starting salaries are $15.50 - $19.00, depending on what level of math the instructors can teach.
How To Videos for students now on our website!
Hey Sequoia HS Class of 2023! Cap and Gown Info
We now have more than 350 of you that have ordered your caps and gowns, but we are still missing some of you!!
Please follow the below instructions to place your order for a FREE cap and gown TODAY!!
Use THIS LINK to place your cap and gown order. You can also use this same site to purchase additional graduation items (announcements, class rings, etc), but there is NO CHARGE for the Cap and Gown. Select GRAD PACK D from the listed options. Please use promo code 2023grad at checkout (and make sure to click APPLY) for all cap and gown orders... otherwise the system will not let you check out. Please do this immediately!! If you do choose to return to the site later and order additional packages that include a cap and gown, don't worry about that part... the system is set up so that it won't order you a duplicate gown.
Even if you are unsure if you will graduate, please complete the order form. It is better to be over-prepared than get to the Spring and not have one!!!
Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions, or for questions specific to ordering, you can message our Herff-Jones representative:
Michael Manning