Senior College & Career Newsletter

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

UPCOMING EVENTS/DUE DATES:

April-May Various CSU Applications Deadlines (see 'CSU Section)

April 24th- Permission Slip due for Super Registration Field Trip to Cañada College

May 6th and 9th- Super Registration Field Trip to Cañada College- see details below

Come to Flex Sessions for help with financial aid and community college applications.

A representative from Canada College will be in the College and Career Center during Friday Flex Periods (Can help with community college applications)

PERMISSION SLIPS DUE: April 24th

Field Trip will be May 6th or 9th depending on your IB Exams.

Have you applied to Cañada College or are planning to?

Pick-up a permission slip in the College and Career Center to attend a field trip to Cañada to complete all enrollment steps.

What: Wellness Workshop

When: Friday, April 25th during Flex

Where: TRC

Description: Wellness impacts many areas of our lives. Come identify which areas you want to improve and learn ways to accomplish this goal. Learn about a fun wellness challenge where you can compete to win prizes.

Students completing Edgenuity credit recovery online courses for graduation and/or UC/CSU A-G requirements are required to take unit tests and cumulative tests in the Edgenuity lab in-person. The lab is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4pm-6pm in Room B-8 with Mr. Calles. The deadline for seniors is May 30, 2025.

At this point, most Waitlists don't change until AFTER May 1st

• Remember you must deposit somewhere if you are planning on attending a 4 yr college next fall

SIR - Statement of Intent Register- Due May 1st UNLESS EXTENDED by Specific College

Although some college websites do not state it clearly, submitting the SIR to more than one place could lead to complications (rescinding your admission). You need to understand that you can only submit a SIR to one university and if you get admitted off the waitlist of another you must notify the other college immediately. If you are waiting for an appeal or a waitlist decision, you still need to choose ONE school and pay the non-refundable deposit. The universal deadline to SIR is May 1st, but if you know you want to go to a school and you have an understanding about the financial aid offer you can register as soon as possible.

Try Not to Wait Until May 1st to Register

1. Most colleges require a non-refundable deposit.

• If you need help paying your deposit, contact the school NOW

• Congratulate yourself for getting this far! Having multiple college options is a good position to be in.

• Have honest financial conversations and understand support.

• If possible, visit campuses.

• Prepare for your independence! College is a time of significant personal growth. Spend some time reflecting on the human being you want to be in five years. How does college help you on that path?

• Don’t rush your decision. Take your time to weigh the factors below.

• Think about best fit qualities, not simply prestige. Focus on what truly matters to you in a college experience.

The "Six F's" of college fit—factors for choosing a college to attend

Susan Tree introduced six key "F's" to consider when determining college fit:

Focus: What are your academic and non-academic priorities? What are your "must-haves"?

Fellowship: Who do you want to share your college experience with?

Financial: Not all loans are created equal.

• Be aware of federal student loan limits. For example, the freshman year limit is $5,500.

Future: How successful is the college in supporting students' aspirations?

Family: Is anything happening in your family that takes priority at this time?

• Consider the distance from home and how it intersects with cultural

Feeling: These are questions to ask yourself directly:

• How do you feel on campus? Excited? Safe? Explorative?

• Do you have a magnetic pull?

• Are these your people?

• Is there a gut feeling that this place is right or wrong?

• What is the vibe, and does it match you?

Full article

Do you Have all of Your Financial Aid Award Letters?

Missing Award Letters

AT THIS POINT, if you have not received your financial aid award letter for the colleges where you were admitted, CALL the FINANCIAL AID office immediately. You need that information to make the best decision for your family.

Every year HUNDREDS of students at colleges rescind admission offers because of changes in what either was stated on the application or predicted grades changes of seniors who have been admitted CONDITIONALLY

Possible Reasons to Take Away Admissions:

Conditional Status – EVERY STUDENT NEEDS TO READ

• Each college could have very specific conditions for an individual student; it is important to carefully read the fine print of each school’s message. Some scholarships or programs have GPA requirements or provisions for no Cs on your transcript

• Lower than Predicted Grades (courses and IB exams)

Schools admit you based on your previous grades and assume you will be receiving the same type of grades. If there is a NOTICEABLE change in your grades, you should contact the school and explain yourself.

• Ds or Fs, Dropping a Course and Any Major Change or Behavior Issue

A final report will be written by each counselor that will include any required reporting to a private school including a final transcript and changes from a student’s School Report. If you think you might be getting a D or F, or have dropped a course, plan on not taking an exam listed on application or have been suspended for a behavior issue, you need to contact the schools IMMEDIATELY. Please call the admissions office and find out what their process for reporting changes

Remember

Colleges do not want to find out about low grades, changes in your schedule, and/or what you put on your application is different from what you originally told them when they received documents from Sequoia High School in July. Admission officials often remind counselors to tell students the following; if they find out before a student tells a college, his/her offer of admissions will be taken away. Remember reporting does not mean you will be rescinded. It is your responsibility to tell a school in a timely manner.

Appeals and Waitlist

Remember – Every college is different! The first thing you should do is go to the individual website or thoroughly read through the school’s communication emails.

A. APPEALS

Carefully read how to appeal on the college’s website, every school has its own process. Some schools do not allow appeals.

B. WAITLISTS

What to do if you are on a Waitlist?

It will be different for each school but most you have to communicate that you want to be on the waitlist. Some, make you write why you want to be on the waitlist. Ask if you can do anything to increase your chances

Do you need to commit to another college?

You need to submit a deposit to another college. If you get off the waitlist, you will lose your deposit costs. Do not assume you will get off the waitlist.

*Report D/F orChanges in Your Application

*Check your portals and emails often and do not wait to respond!

*Make sure you complete all financial aid requirements for each college

As you get decisions from the colleges you applied to, please update your College's I'm Applying To

• College Tab
• Colleges I'm Applying to
• Go through each college listed (add colleges if not already listed) CLICK on EDIT
• Pop Up - CLICK on RESULT and choose from the dropdown options (admit, denied, waitlisted)

REMINDER

Please list every school that you applied to on Naviance including CSUs and UCs. We can’t submit documents until you list them on Naviance. Also, make sure you note that you submitted your application as well.

From California Student Aid Commission (CSAC)

After your FAFSA or CADAA application is processed, you’ll receive an email letting you know it’s time to create your WebGrants4Students account. When you create your account, it will still show INCOMPLETE for Cal Grant but if you click on details, you will be able to see your GPA which means you've done your part.

The deadline is April 2nd for Cal Grant Priority.

If you have any questions call CSAC- 888-224-7268

At least once a week!

Complete all To Do's as soon as possible!

Email your counselor, Ignaitis/Yeager, and teachers of the colleges you are not applying (one email to all) and complete this FORM (Only Students using their seq email can complete the form)

Process of Submitting Application and School Documents

When we submit documents for your 1st due date, we submit them to all the schools on your list and there is NO way we would know if you added or removed a school, unless you tell us.

From CSU Counselor Bulletin

Our campuses are hosting admitted student days this month and in April for students and their families to experience and immerse themselves at their future Cal State campus. View our campus events webpage for more details

Congratulations to your students who have been admitted to one or more of our California State Universities! Our Freshman: Next Steps webpage provides access to the admitted student websites for all twenty-three CSUs. Campus websites provide more information about important deadlines and next steps in the admissions process.

From CSU Counselor Bulletin

To view a list of the Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) or Admission Acceptance or Enrollment Confirmation deadlines and deposit requirements, visit our Statement of Intent to Register webpage.

Make sure you apply for HOUSING asap!

What does the Metro College Success Program Provide Incoming Freshmen?

Classes that cover their G-E credit requirements w. no additional charge, academic advising and educational planning specific to each student’s major, and tutoring services from Metro’s MARC Center! Coordinators and Advisors who are committed to supporting students, and the opportunity to build community with other students who are interested in similar majors.

Here is the Metro application link

Check Portals and Emails Often

Every school is a little different so make sure to keep track of your login information. To meet all deadlines, check your email and portals weekly and DO NOT WAIT to complete your “To Do” list.

When a student submits their first application to any campus, regardless of the priority deadline, they will not be able to make any changes to any subsequent application. If students need to report any corrections or updates, please have them contact the campuses they applied to directly.

CSU Application Deadline EXTENDED for some schools:

Later Deadlines are available for some CSUs, visit the Application Dates & Deadlines page for more information on which campuses are still open and their deadlines.

From UC Counselors and Advisers Bulletin

Admission decision season is here! Some campuses have begun notifying first-year/freshman applicants of their admission status, while others plan to contact students later this month. Transfer applicants will learn of their admission status starting this month through late April.
For more information on the enrollment process for first-years, including campus-specific information, reference the following two resources:

• Next steps from admission to enrollment
• First-year waitlist and appeals fact sheet

From UC Counselors and Advisers Bulletin

Admitted students will have a range of options to engage with campuses this spring. Campuses are planning multiple events in April and May for students to learn more about the campus experience and resources available. View a list of the spring 2025 campus events.

Unless otherwise linked, further event information and registration details can be found in the host campus’ applicant portal.

Events denoted with an asterisk (*) are also open to prospective students.

From UCSD

Triton Days Open House on April 12. We have plenty of in-person and virtual events where admitted students can engage with our team and the greater Triton community, all outlined on the Events tab of their portal.

If students have questions about next steps after receiving an offer of admission or an offer to join our waitlist, please visit the first-year timeline or FAQ page for more information.

From UCLA

• First-Year New Student Checklist

• Yield, or likelihood of enrolling, is difficult to predict. We are conservative in our initial decisions with hopes of taking students from the waitlist. Waitlist activity won’t be known until after May 1st. Students offered the waitlist must decide by April 15th whether to opt in and should accept another university’s offer prior to the commitment deadline. For more information about this process, please visit the First-Year Waitlist page on our website.

• While we have a decision appeal process, very few decisions are reversed (last year, only five). We advise students to make alternative plans and consider carefully before submitting an appeal

You must tell each UC if you changed your schedule (dropped courses) or received a D or F during the Fall 2024 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 changes

For the Education – Grades Section of the Common Application

• Class Rank Reporting – Do not rank

• Graduating Class Size – 464

• GPA Scale – 4

• GPA Weighting – Weighted

• Guidance FAX – (650) 306-8893

• Graduation Date – June 6, 2025

• Your Official GPA- Overall weighted GPA - first one listed on your transcript

We will complete Steps 4-6 at Canada College on the May 6th or 9th field trip. Come by the College and Career Center to get help with the process.

The steps to enroll are different for each site. Go to the websites below for more information.

• Canada College: https://canadacollege.edu/admissions/new-student.php

• College of San Mateo: https://collegeofsanmateo.edu/admissions/new-returning-students.php

• Skyline College: https://skylinecollege.edu/outreach/pep.php

• De Anza: https://www.deanza.edu/apply-and-register/index.html (not available for Fall 2025 until the spring)

• Foothill: https://foothill.edu/reg/admission/highschool.html (not available for Fall 2025 until the spring)
  

Updated May/June lists are NOW AVAILABLE.

Click HERE to go directly to the Sequoia High School website for the most updated scholarship and student opportunities lists. How to Access Scholarships on Naviance (9-12th Grades)

If you find a scholarship you are interested in and want the link to the website or more information be sure to log in to your Naviance account, under the College tab, click on Scholarships and Money, then Scholarship list, and put the name of the scholarship in the search box, then click on the name of the scholarship.

Come speak to Ms Yeager by April 21st at lunch!

CA Association of Supervisors of Child Welfare and Attendance (CASCWA) Bay Section Scholarship

For graduating seniors who have overcome unique challenges and difficulties, who may have had to overcome barriers to success early on due to personal or family challenges, excessive absence or discipline concerns.

Kiwanis Club of San Carlos Scholarship

Several $1000.00 scholarships will be awarded to graduating high school seniors who excel academically and in activities. Applicants must live in San Carlos or Belmont. See application in Naviance or get from College & Career Center.

San Mateo County Association of Grand Jurors

For high school seniors with min. 2.0 GPA who complete two essays about the grand jury system.

Sequoia Stamp Club Collector's Scholarship

For seniors collecting stamps or a similar hobby/activity. 2.0+ GPA and will go to a 2-yr or 4-yr college. Write an essay on your particular hobby. Application on Naviance or pick up in College and Career Center. Turn-in to Ms. Ignaitis

Sequoia High School Dreamer's Scholarship

For AB-540 students. Scholarship Application available on the school website. Please turn in your completed application to Ms. Slater in room 201 or at jslater@seq.org

The Tang Scholarship

Provides financial assistance to Bay Area lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Asian and Pacific Islanders for 2- or 4-yr college or vocational program. Min GPA 3.0. Download application on Naviance or pick up in College and Career Center

HENAAC Great Minds in STEM Scholarship

For students pursuing a STEM degree at 2-yr or 4-yr college. MIN GPA of 3.0 (2.5 for non-merit-based scholarships). Must be of Hispanic descent and/or must demonstrate significant leadership or service within the underserved community.

Love Lotus Foundation Renewable Scholarship

Sequoia Senior who demonstrates outstanding achievement and is part of the first generation of their family pursuing college (community or 4 yr) Local scholarship, must have at least a 3.0 GPA Renewable for 4 years -

Due: 5/1/2025

The student must be pursuing a career in printing technology, printing management, graphic communication, or packaging. 3.0 min GPA. Going to college in USA

Due May 1st

The Construction Financial Management Association Silicon Valley Chapter (“CFMA-SV”) is offering FIVE scholarships to eligible students for the 2025-2026 academic year. CFMA-SV awards scholarships to assist students with the cost of their books, classes, housing, tools and supplies needed to further their education.

Must live in the Bay Area, have maintained a cumulative 3.0 GPA for the past two years. Presently have an intention to pursue a career in or closely related to an accounting, finance or construction-related field.

Due: 5/2/2025

Student in SUHSD. A merit-based scholarship that promotes values such as family, generosity, hard work, and humility. Eligibility Requirements: 3.5 GPA or higher and acceptance to 4-year. Pick up in College Center or Download on Naviance.

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.

After you research your colleges, if you find a scholarship or program you want to be nominated for, complete this form three weeks prior to the nomination deadline to be considered.

Digital Responsibility: E-Waste Scholarship

9th-12th grade

Complete the application form and include a 140-character statement that completes this sentence: The most important reason to care about e-waste is…

Be-You-Tiful, Be Free Multimedia Contest, From the Eating Disorders Resource Center

9th-12th grade

Submit a poem. essay, artwork, or video

THEME: How does social media and the world around you influence how you see yourself or others?

1. Make your WebGrants account

From California Student Aid Commission (CSAC)

After your FAFSA or CADAA application is processed, you’ll receive an email letting you know it’s time to create your WebGrants4Students account. When you create your account, it will still show INCOMPLETE for Cal Grant but if you click on details, you will be able to see your GPA which means you've done your part.

If you have any questions call CSAC- 888-224-7268 ASAP

2. If you already made your WebGrant, check to make sure you have the school you are going to next fall is listed as your ATTENDING school.

1. Check your email for confirmation that your application has been submitted.

1. If you do not receive an email, log back into your application, and verify that you submitted it. Also, verify that you submitted an application for the correct school year. It should be for the year you will be in college.

2. After a few days, check your email for confirmation that your application has been processed.

1. If you do not receive an email, log back into your account, and check for any error messages.

2. For FAFSA filers, contact Federal Student Aid for questions about processing your application. For CADAA filers, contact CSAC for questions about processing your application.

See this document for full instructions about Next Steps. Copies available in College and Career Center.

• Students were given a FAFSA/CADAA Worksheet in their Social Studies Class. This is just as a guideline for what information you will need to have in order to complete the FAFSA/CADAA starting in December. (sorry for any confusion)

• The district will be sending out information about AB 132, that requires all public school districts and charter schools in California to confirm that all high school seniors have completed a FAFSA or CADAA, unless the student opts out

• If families do not want to complete the FAFSA/CADAA, you can go to the district's Financial Aid Resources webpage to complete an opt-out form (scroll all the way to the bottom of the page)

Sequoia Union High School District submitted your GPA to Cal Grant November 6, 2024

Make sure your Infinite Campus information (name and address) is correct to avoid matching problems. If something needs to be change, contact the counseling office

No Verification Form is needed AFTER submitting your FAFSA/Dream Application!

Summer

Due: April 21

Grades Eligible:9-12

The Academy is a powerful three-week program for high school students passionate about climate action, leadership, and making a difference. Participants will build knowledge, develop skills, and connect with a network of like-minded peers and mentors. WEBSITE

Three weeks course

Due: April 24

Grades Eligible:9-12

Cooperate in a team-based competition to unravel solutions to current economic issues. WEBSITE

Due: April 27th

15yrs+

MTC offers Bay Area high school students the opportunity to discover the inner workings of a metropolitan planning organization, and start on a career path in government service

Must be 15 and live in Bay Area WEBSITE

Due: 4/30/2025

9-12th

We are a non-profit organization located in the Bay area and we will be offering summer coding camps in your city.

We are looking for students who are committed to volunteering and passionate about computer science.

This is a great opportunity to earn community service hours, learn leadership & people skills, develop time management & organizational skills. See flier for more info

Due: 5/1/2025

Due: May 1st

16+

Summer Culinary Internship at Stanford University. WEBSITE

Volunteer

all year

Grades Eligible: 9-12th

To sign up to volunteer, visit our website by selecting one of the following options:

Sort food at our warehouses, Distribute food to community members - Distribution sites are located in nearly every neighborhood in Silicon Valley,

Deliver food to homes – Load your vehicle and deliver healthy groceries to homes of seniors and other homebound clients in Santa Clara or San Mateo County. You must be 18 years old to volunteer for this activity. WEBSITE

ELIGIBLE AGES: 14+

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.

Earn and learn occupations can include a blend of workplace experience and classroom training. These types of occupations offer opportunities for job seekers to gain real-life work skills and increase their career options.

The State of California has a tool: The California Earn and Learn Occupations Tool is a web-based, interactive tool designed to assist job seekers, workforce partners, and businesses identify potential occupations in which you could earn a wage and learn new skills at the same time.

You can search opportunities by region

You can look at a list of Earn and Learn Occupations

You can find training centers for the education programs associated with the occupation.

Eligible Age: 16+

We are looking for talented musicians to lead rock band groups at Rock Band Summer Camp! Must have a knowledge of guitar/bass/keys/vocals and the ability to create simple and fun song arrangements.

Rock Band Camp runs in weekly sessions, each Monday-Friday from 9am-3pm throughout June, July and August. Counselors can choose to work one week or all summer long. $600/week. To apply, send a cover letter to info@hummingbirdmusicschool.com

See Flier Below

ELIGIBLE GRADES/AGE: Juniors and Seniors

$17.00 hour Looking for students with good math and reading skills who are available to work approximately 6 - 8 hours per week on Monday and Thursday afternoons. Ideal part time job for high school or college students. Pick up a flier in the College and Career Center

If interested email qualifications and resume to kumonsancarlos@gmail.com

ELIGIBLE AGE/GRADE: 16yr+ (Must have own transportation)

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. Join us for the opportunity to make a REAL difference in a child’s life by passing on a love for math!

Our starting salaries are $17.00-$19.00 depending on what level of math the instructors can teach.

If interested, please apply online

Pick up a flier in the College and Career Center

Complete the 2024-2025 Meal Application

We want all families to complete this confidential meal application so that qualifying students can receive reduced cost bus passes, internet, prom tickets, grad night tickets, college application fees and IB testing registration. To complete the meal application, click here.

Needs to be completed every year!

If you missed the Grade Level 4YR College & IB Meeting on August 28th

The grade-level presentation in English and Spanish ( without the recording) and handouts are available on the Sequoia College and Career webpage.

SECOND SEMESTER

Jan 12-18, 2025 CAREER: Career in Radiology

Jan 19-25, 2025 Mid Year Reports & Transcript Info, FINANCIAL AID: WUE Tuition, Applying for Scholarship NOW

Jan 26- Feb 1, 2025 CAREER: Careers in Gaming

Feb 2-8, 2025 Click Here Common App: Mid Year Reports Four Yr: Transcript and Reporting D/F or Changes FA: How to Talk to Your Parents About FA

Feb 9-16, 2025 CAREER:Think About Getting a Summer Job You Can Do While You Are Going to School/College - Get Certified As a Lifeguard

Feb 17-March 1, 2025 FA: Webgrant for Students Account & UC FA Advice 4 YR: How Colleges Communicate with Applicants

Mar 2-8, 2025 CAREER:Should You Pursue an Associate or a Baccalaureate Nursing Degree? From NurseJournal

MARCH 9-15, 2025 FA: Overlooked Strategies for Paying for College CA Priority Deadline Extended to April 2nd, UC: Withdrawing an Application

March 16-22, 2025 FOUR YEAR COLLEGE:Update Your Admit Status on “Colleges I’m Applying To” in Naviance UC: First-year admission updates and resources (Next Steps for Admitted Students/Waitlists & Appeals) CSU: 2025 Admit Days CAREER: Career in Marine Biology

March 23-29 Enter your Art for Cover of Grad Program, GENERAL 4 YR: Update Colleges I’m Applying to Admit, Appeals and Waitlists. FA: 5 Numbers to Look For on Your FA Letter

March 30-April 5, 2025 GEN 4-YR: Conditional Status - Possible Reasons to Take Away an Admission Offer CAREER: Earn and Learn Occupations From State of California EDD