Sequoia College & Career Newsletter
Week of May 2-8, 2021
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
- May 3 - PTSA Junior Scholarship DEADLINE EXTENDED
- May 5 - Summer College Camp Informational Meeting (see Juniors section below for registration link)
- See Scholarships & Contests section below for a number of other opportunities and deadlines
Spring Presentations
During remote learning, the College and Career Center has done a number of presentations. Students can view a recording of all presentations including:
- The grade level College/Post Secondary Student Workshops,
- The Junior Private/Common Application Presentation
- The 9-11th Grade Financial Aid Presentation
All recordings are available on the College and Career webpage under Presentation Resources
VIRTUAL COLLEGE EVENTS
May 24 and 26th
six of the nation's top liberal arts colleges —Amherst, Bowdoin, Carleton, Pomona, Swarthmore, and Williams hosting two events for juniors and their families to help answer questions about the college search process. Students register here!
Juniors: Are you interested in getting a head start on the college process?
Join us for an informational meeting on our Summer College Camp on Wednesday, May 5 at 11:30am to learn about what we have planned during those days to support you in your college planning! We will go over the expectations, daily schedule and answer any questions you have. By joining College Camp over the summer you will be excused from two required meetings in the Fall of your senior year. Juniors will be able to officially sign up for camp during this meeting.
Juniors: Steps to request Letter of Recommendation (LOR) PRIOR to Completing the Naviance Teacher LOR Survey steps
As you begin to build your college list find out if you need letters of recommendation to apply.
Ask your teacher(s) virtually or through email if they would be willing to write you a strong letter of recommendation.
If they agree to write a LOR for you then proceed to complete the the Class of 2022 Teacher Letter of Rec survey in Naviance. (About Me, Surveys Not Started)
Part two in the Fall of your senior year: more details will be provided. Officially request teachers electronically in the Fall of your senior year in Naviance
For more detailed information please refer to our Spring 2021 Junior Presentation: Private/Common Application presentation slides.
Juniors: Information About Signing Up for SAT in the Future
Due to Covid 19, Sequoia was not allowed to offer the PSAT to our 11th graders in Oct or Jan along with the closing of many local SAT test centers, our administration decided to offer College Board School Day SAT in March and April. This was a gift to any junior who wanted to take the exam by our Foundation.
Moving forward, students will go back to registering for the SAT or ACT on their own through the College Board SAT and ACT websites
Colleges are in the process of deciding on their testing policies for the next admission cycle. Please always check the website of any school you are interested in applying to find out if a SAT or ACT is required. More and more are extending their test optional policies because of the continued issue of students not having full access to test centers.
VIRTUAL CAREER EVENTS/INFORMATION
Districtwide Career Zooms
Doctor of Internal Medicine, Marina Di Bartolo
If you missed Dr. Di Bartolo's career zoom last week, you can view the recording here! Dr. Bartolo is a proud example of a DACA student who went on to work in the field of medicine. Atlantic Article.
She provided a resources for Dreamers (both DACA and undocumented students in this case) interested in going into medicine or health fields. It's called Pre-Health Dreamers and it was founded in the Bay but is trying to help students nationally. They have a bunch of resources, like an internship list.
Work, Volunteer or Otherwise Gain Some Experience - Article From Career Live
As with your education, the more you are exposed to, the more options will open to you as you search out careers.
There are even a growing number of internship opportunities for high-school students. Seek work and volunteer experiences in and out of school. And from a practical standpoint, work experience looks good on college applications -- and on future job applications and resumes.
And one other benefit if you are working in a paid position: spending money! Just remember that school and grades have to come first, so only work if you can balance your schedule, manage your time.
Example: If you're interested in a career in journalism, start writing for your school newspaper and look into a part-time job at a local newspaper.
Talk with as many adults as possible about careers and colleges.
The best way to find out about different careers is to ask people -- family, neighbors, friends, teachers, counselors -- and get them to tell you about their career and college experiences.
If you have not already, begin to build a network of adults who know you and are willing to assist you in your educational and career endeavors. And for careers that truly interest you, consider asking each person if you can shadow him/her at work.
You could also consider conducting informational interviews at the same time as the shadowing, or as a less intrusive method of learning more about jobs and careers.
Example: If you have a passion for history and are considering a career as a college history professor, contact a local college and ask one or more of the history professors if you can shadow them or conduct an informational interview.
Make-up D/Fs as soon as possible-DON’T WAIT
Colleges look for upward trends in your grades and transcripts. Students who have a few lower grades during their first years of high school can show a change in your academic focus and college readiness by making up any D/Fs. It is important to have the highest GPA possible before the start of your senior year since you apply during your first semester.
There are also financial reasons to have your highest GPA before the start of your senior year. Cal Grants are a great financial aid source for students going to all types of schools after high school. A family of four with an income of around $110,000 can receive tuition for four years with a 3.0 GPA. Students can also get Cal Grants with at least a 2.0 GPA but the grant and family income requirements are lower amounts. See your counselor for specific information.
Many students wait to take make-up courses because they think they have so much time and then end up stressing out about them during their senior year. Don’ Wait!
College Board's Big Future Net Price Calculator to Help with Financial Fit
Big Future Net Price Calculator
Students and their families are expected to contribute to the cost of college to the extent that they’re able. Use this 2021-22 academic year Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Calculator to:
Estimate how much the student’s family will be expected to contribute for the year. After all, you can’t make a realistic plan to cover the student’s share if you don’t have any idea what the student’s share could be.
Gain insight into the student’s financial aid eligibility. If you’re unable to contribute the entire cost of college, financial aid is available to bridge the gap. That's how the financial aid system works. The difference between the total cost and the student's EFC is considered the student's financial need and the amount of aid you’re eligible to receive.
If you have a specific college in mind, you can get a more accurate estimate of your real cost by using the net price calculator on its website. Net price is the full cost of attendance minus the grants and scholarships you receive from the college. A college’s net price calculator uses the financial aid policies of that college to calculate its estimate. Learn more about net price.
JUNIORS - An Opportunity Extended to List on Your College Applications!
PTSA Sequoia Junior Scholarship
DEADLINE EXTENDED: Monday, May 3
For juniors with academic accomplishment, community accomplishment or both. To apply, students need to submit their transcripts and write two short essays. All information you submit will be kept confidential unless student safety is a concern. See Sequoia's PTSA website for more information.Sequoia Poetry Contest - A Chance to Be Published!
Due: June 5th
Submit a poem for an opportunity to get published in a Sequoia-only student anthology! Three contest winners will receive cash prizes, but everyone will have an opportunity for their poem to be published in a physical anthology. Additionally, submit art for a chance to be on the cover or in the anthology! Submit using the link tinyurl.com/studentanthology, and please contact 803083@seq.org with questions.Summer Program or Contest: Do you need a transcript?
All transcript requests are on Naviance
Directions to Request an Official Transcript for a Scholarship or Program
Log in to your Sequoia Naviance account
Click the Colleges Tab (Right top corner)
Scroll down
Click on Manage Transcripts (Left hand side)
Click on the Red Plus Icon and choose Other Transcript
What Type Requesting? (Unless after graduation, click either Initial or Mid-Year)
What For? (Scholarship or Other)
Note: We do not send unofficial ACT/SAT
Click to watch a short How To Request a Transcript for a Scholarship or Program
There is a 5 SCHOOL day turn around to send the transcripts, so plan accordingly!
Student Opportunities Listed on Sequoia Website
San Mateo County Youth Commission
Application Due: May 3
The Commission is recruiting youth for year 2021-22 and the application is open from April 2 through May 3, 2021. More information about the Youth Commission may be found on the website: https://cmo.smcgov.org/smcyc.
Freshman Leadership Opportunity with the National Hispanic Institute
The Great Debate Experience, or GDx, is a digital communications and leadership development program for ambitious and courageous young people. If you're committed to making meaningful change in your world, and you’re driven toward building up your community, NHI and the GDx is for you. If you are interested in this FREE opportunity email Ms. Rocha (nrocha@seq.org) for Registration Information.
Asian Liver Center (ALC) at Stanford University
Asian Liver Center (ALC) at Stanford University
Deadline May 9
The Conference is for high-achieving high school students looking to build skills in leadership and social impact. 100 students are selected through an application-based process. Conference is in Aug
Youth Leadership Institute (YLI)
Youth Leadership Institute (YLI)
YLI in partnership with Daly City Youth Health Center & Jefferson Union High School District is kicking off 2 cohorts of leadership and training opportunities.
This program hopes to:
Empower youth, demystify local politics, and uplift young people’s political power
Provide tools youth can take and apply to their own communities/advocacy efforts
Inform youth about youth seats available in San Mateo County in decision-making bodies
Foster a network of equity-minded youth organizers
Art Speak Internship
Deadline May 17
Asian Art Museum’s Art Speak internship provides career training and monthly stipends to public high school students in grades 10–12. Interns discover Asian art and cultural traditions, and learn from local artists and arts organizations, conduct informational interviews with museum staff to explore careers in the arts, and develop their leadership skills by creating and facilitating virtual art activities. This is a paid ten-month experience that runs from August to May. Interns will meet virtually.
Concurrent Enrollment Information
How to Enroll:
Students who want to take a class at one of the local community colleges this summer should follow the detailed instructions on their High School Student webpage Visit the following sites for specific updates and information:
JOB OPPORTUNITY
Summer Job: City of RWC’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department
The City of Redwood City’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department is looking for Camp Leaders, Assistant Camp Directors, Camp Directors who are interested in working 25-40 hours per week during the summer, planning, organizing and conducting basic recreation activities in a variety of settings
For a monthly list of Student Opportunities available 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
EPATT (East Palo Alto Tennis and Tutoring)
EPATT is recruiting high school students for its College and Career Readiness (CCR) Program. At EPATT it is important to meet all of our students where they are academically and create a targeted plan for them. Our approach consists of academic support, one-on-one tutoring, mentoring, college/career advising and parent/family support. Our goal at EPATT is for all our students, to possess the academic and personal skills to be successful not only in college but in life.
EPATT is currently offering its programming through dynamic and engaging online classes and tutoring. Visit myepatt.org to check-out our offerings.
Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula
BGCP is seeking high school students who might be interested in supporting their in-person summer programs by interning. For more information contact Remi Sobomehin at remi@bgcp.org.
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
How To Videos for students now on our website!
All Newsletters Available Online!
9-11 April 25-May 1 Newsletter
Click Here to view this week 's College & Career Newsletter/ Haga clic aquí para ver el boletín de la oficina de Colegios y Carreras de esta semana. (9-11th)
Announcements: Juniors: Summer College Camp Informational meeting, Juniors: Signing up for the SAT in the Future and Letters of Recommendation information - Part II
College Tip: Comprehensive/Holistic Review Explained
Virtual College Events: NACAC College Fairs, Six Colleges, International Universities College Fair
Other Virtual Events: Mindfulness Wednesdays
Financial Aid- “I CAN Afford College” Website resource
Career Information - FAPA Virtual Future Pilot Forum, Trade Apprenticeships Information, District Zoom Career Speakers: Doctor of Internal Medicine, Dietitian, and Biophysic recording available.
Student Opportunities- East Palo Alto Tennis Tutoring, Boys and Girls Club Summer Interns, San Mateo County Youth Commission, Freshman Leadership Opportunity with National Hispanic Institute. Concurrent Enrollment Updates , and Girls That Code
Scholarship/Contests - The Am Library of Poetry National Student Poetry Contest
Job Opportunities: RWC Parks and Recreation Summer Jobs