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)

Mr. Rebello jrebello@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:

Aug 27 - Senior Grade Level IB/4 Year College Meeting (see more information below)

Sept 1- First College Visit at Sequoia

Are you confused or do you have a lot of questions about the process for submitting your letters of recommendation and/or just about general requirements and procedures at Sequoia for submitting your applications and school documents?

PLEASE ATTEND the Grade Level Meeting on zoom on, Thursday, August 27th for students and families. More information below.

Thursday, August 27th at 7pm on Zoom

The annual Four-Year College/IB meeting for students and parents/guardians is specifically focused on senior year application and IB process at Sequoia.

Ms. Nino-Sears (IB Coordinator)/ Ms Zamora (IB Administrative Assistant) will go over the requirements, deadlines and procedures for the IB Program and IB Diploma.

The College and Career Advisors will present information about applying to Four Year Colleges including UC,CSU, Common Application, Out of State Public Colleges, and Coalition.

Some of the other topics include:

How to Officially Request Transcripts if Needed

Early Action/Early Decision

Letters of Recommendation that are specific to Sequoia.

For All GRADE LEVEL MEETINGS:

• SLIDES will be Posted on the SHS College and Career website

• Links will be available in the Weekly Newsletter

English Meeting ID: 933 3097 6617 Pass Code: 242415

Spanish Meeting ID: 929 7370 4386

Or

English Link

Spanish Zoom Link

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!

9/25: Last day to add a class or drop a class without penalty on transcript.

10/30: Last day to drop an IB course in an IB testing year.

11/12: Last day to drop with penalty on the transcript. No drops after this date.

Tuesday, September 1, 2026-1:00pm

Tuesday, September 1, 2026-2:00PM

Thursday, September 3, 2026-9:00AM

Cornell University, Emory University, Pomona College, Rice University and Washington University in St. Louis are proud to present LAUNCH (Linking Access, Unity, Networking, Collaboration and Higher Education). At LAUNCH, you'll virtually meet admission officers from all five partner institutions and learn more about what unites us.

Event times are listed in Eastern Daylight Time.

Online

• LAUNCH Virtual Student Event
  Wednesday, August 19 at 8:00 PM

• LAUNCH Virtual Student Event
  Wednesday, September 16 at 8:00 PM

• REED IN TWENTY MINUTES (virtual) – Multiple dates: During this 20-minute session, we’ll break down everything that makes our community distinctive.

• ACING THE INTERVIEW (virtual) – Thursday, August 20, at 4 p.m. PT: Your students will take a deep dive into the college interview and discover how this face-to-face meeting fits into the larger application process.

• IS EARLY DECISION RIGHT FOR ME (virtual) – Thursday, August 27, at 4 p.m. PT: In this session, we’ll walk your students through the benefits of Early Decision, debunk common myths, and answer questions about applying and finding out early.

• Join Ethan Sawyer, founder of College Essay Guy, along with Tom Campbell, Senior College Admissions Counselor & Essay Specialist, for a countdown through the five qualities admissions officers look for, the four questions your personal statement should answer, and everything else you need to know for the 2026 admissions season.

  We’ll cover:

  • My deep-dive analysis of the update supplemental essay prompts for 2026.

  • Five qualities college admission officers look for (based on an analysis of 300+ colleges and universities).

  • Four key questions your personal statement should probably answer.

  • Three keys to upleveling your activities list.

  • Two qualities your supplemental essays should probably demonstrate.

  • One walk-through of the “challenges and circumstances” section.

  REGISTRATION LINK HERE

August 26th at Redwood City Library

UC, CSU, Community College, Private (Independent), Out-of-State Public, International:

Applying, Affording, Attending

We will take a look at the various college systems: their differences and similarities. What does the application process look like at each one? How will students know how much they will cost? What will it feel like to attend schools in these systems?

As juniors begin to think about or as seniors begin to finalize their college lists, what should they consider as they choose which system(s) might be a best fit?

Register here

This is a great opportunity for prospective students to talk with representatives from the service academies and to hear directly from them. The event will be held Tuesday, September 8th from 4:30-6:30pm at the San Mateo Main Library in the Oak Room.

Admissions 101 | August 13, September 8, October 6

Curious about how we read applications? Wondering how to make your application stand out? Join Bryn Mawr Admissions staff for a virtual behind-the-scenes look at how we review applications at Bryn Mawr. ✍️

Financial Aid 101 | August 11, September 9, October 8

Curious about how financial aid works? Wondering what's required to apply for aid? Join Bryn Mawr Financial Aid staff for a virtual behind-the-scenes look at financial aid at Bryn Mawr. 💵 👀

Ask an Admissions Officer: Drop-In Hours | August 17, September 15, October 14

Still have questions? We're here to help! Join a Bryn Mawr Admissions Officer for an open Q&A where you can ask anything about the college search, the application process, life at Bryn Mawr, or other topics on your mind.

There isn't a set presentation for this session — it's an informal opportunity to hop online, ask your questions, and hear answers to topics other students are wondering about. Bring your curiosity, and we'll do our best to help!

Redwood City Women's Club
149 Clinton St
Redwood City, CA 94062
United States

Are you interested in learning more about Reed? We invite you to join us for a reception. Meet your regional admission counselor, learn about how to apply to Reed and meet other students in your area interested in the college.

Please complete the form below to register for a Reed reception. You will receive a confirmation email after you submit your registration, which will include a link to cancel or edit your registration if needed.

Registration HERE

Because we are a big school and don't want you to use the phrase "I didn't know", we have created a consistent method of getting out information.

FIRST: WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

It is the student's responsibility to read/skim through each week. This is where we list upcoming events and opportunities, specific college, required steps, financial aid, scholarships, contests, volunteering, and job information.

Instead of individual emails throughout the week, we send it once a week on Sundays!

SECOND: EVENING EVENTS

Throughout the year, we hold evening college informational meetings/events for both students and parents/guardians. These meetings have specific content students are responsible to know and understand. If both a student and parent/guardian can't attend, the presentations are available on the school website under the College and Career Department section.

THIRD: COLLEGE AND CAREER WEBPAGE

Located on the SHS website under Departments, our webpage includes student opportunities and scholarship monthly lists, How To videos, posted presentations from evening meetings, old Newsletters, CSF forms as well as other post secondary resources.

The CSU Application YOU NEED AS A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL is now available but you won't be able to update academic section until October 1st.

As a first time freshman, you will need to choose Fall 2027

If you apply now using Spring 2026, your application will not be considered.

This year students will be able to launch their UC application from californiacolleges.edu and have their courses/grades transfer over. Come to flex to get help with this process.

When the UC Application asks for SSID# they are asking for your State ID from the top left of your transcript

The UC Application will ask multiple questions about whether you attended and will graduate from a California high school. Additionally, you will be asked “Do you want to be evaluated for California residency for tuition purposes?” ANSWER YES TO THIS QUESTION IF YOU DON’T WANT TO PAY OUT OF STATE TUITION.

The UC Application is now open for the Fall 2027

Students can submit the application between Oct 1-Dec 1, 2026

There will be flex workshops available and several UC are visiting Sequoia this fall. Plan to attend a flex session for help importing your grades from California Colleges directly into your application (saves a lot of time).

Every UC has great information and tips on completing the application - Check out UCSB page

At this point, if you know you need a LOR, there are a few important things you can do.

1. Make sure you understand any specific LOR requirements for each college on your list (how many and do they have grade level or subject area requirements?)

2. Ask your teacher in person if possible or in an email.

3. If a teacher agrees, you can complete the Teacher LOR Survey on Naviance (it is a good practice to write your responses on a Google doc and transfer the information)

How to Access - Surveys From Your School (Counselor School Report, Teacher LOR, Upload Personal Statement, etc)

More specific information about officially requesting teachers on Naviance will be explained at the meeting on August 27th.

There is a specific process for Sequoia High School.

Please attend the grade level meeting August 27th

Official Class Size

Will be in the weekly newsletter SEPTEMBER 13th

1. Create a Common Application account
2. Add in Sequoia High School (052605) on the Education tab
3. Add at least one college to your account on the My Colleges tab
4. Sign FERPA Waiver located on the left hand side under "Recommenders and FERPA"

Our recommendation is that you Waive Your Rights because that is what colleges want you to do. All Counselors and some teachers will not write a letter if you do not waive your rights.

What is the FERPA Waiver? (From Common Application website)

Since FERPA is a complex law, we want to provide some key information before you respond to the FERPA waiver question.

1. How does FERPA relate to your college application?

FERPA regulates the privacy of student education records, which could include your application to the college where you enroll. FERPA also gives you the right to review confidential letters of recommendation provided as part of that application after you enroll.

2. In the application you'll be asked if you want to waive the right to review confidential letters of recommendation. What you should know about this waiver?

• Waiving your right lets colleges know that you do not intend to read your recommendations, which helps reassure colleges that the letters are candid and truthful.

• Some recommenders may decline to write a letter for you if you do not waive your rights. Check with your counselor or teachers to see if any of them follow such a policy.

The Self-reported Transcript and Academic Record System (STARS) allows students to submit their academic record directly to participating institutions. Completing STARS is required before an application can be reviewed.

Click HERE for list of participating institutions who accept or require STARS

We will focus on the community college application process the second semester of school.

Community College Info Night and Fair date to be announced soon!

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

• Foothill: https://foothill.edu/reg/admission/apply.html

• Your 504 or IEP accommodations are not covered for outside testing.
• If you want accommodations for the SAT or ACT, you need to request them separately through the College Board or ACT.
• It is the responsibility of the families to research and provide all necessary documentation since these tests are not associated with Sequoia.
• While families can submit their documentation on their own, Sequoia can also complete the final submission step. For more information about this process, go to our website: Accommodations for Testing

Signing up for testing

As you are considering different schools to apply to, make sure to check out their testing policies. If you need or want to take a test, it is your responsibility to sign-up and register for the tests.

Use these links below to sign-up for the SAT or ACT:

College Board

ACT

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.

Sequoia Union High School District will submit your GPA to Cal Grant in September.

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

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

The Academy’s PCADE program is a FREE college-level program for students ready to explore what makes their creative perspective unique. Our hands-on classes let students build their portfolios and sharpen their style! Classes held at our downtown San Francisco campus and online.

Online classes start Sept 2 and on site classes start Oct 10

This Is a FREE ONLINE art class at Foothill College.

Typography (make your own fonts) CRN 21579

Class start Sept 21, sign up NOW

FREE to all high school students

Self-paced, no campus or zoom meetings

Fulfill the Area-F requirement for high school graduation.

Earn 4-units of college credit, transferable to UC/CSU.

STUDENTS MUST WORK WITH THEIR COUNSELOR FOR CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT APPROVAL

Enroll here https://www.foothill.edu/hs/

Due: September 1, 2026

Grades Eligible: 9-12th

The (YCA) Leadership Program brings 9-12th grade students from across San Mateo County together to empower youth to take climate action into their own hands. Through the program, students will develop projects designed to drive change within San Mateo County and gain a diverse set of skills related to sustainability and climate action. WEBSITE

8-month service-learning program is for high school students aged 15-18 in the San Francisco Bay Area who are interested in working with marine mammals and educating the public about important ocean conservation topics.
Email highschool@tmmc.org if you have any questions. WEBSITE

• Theme: Restore the Bay and Beyond by Caring for Trees

• Event Registration Link: bit.ly/septstsat26

• When: Saturday, September 19, from 9am-12pm

• Where: 2086 Clarke Ave Building C, East Palo Alto, CA 94303

• Cost: FREE (free light lunch and snacks will be provided)

• Description: Join Canopy and The Marine Mammal Center as we work together to support the environment in the Bay Area by caring for trees! Healthy trees improve the health of our communities by cleaning the air, providing habitat for wildlife, and reducing stormwater runoff that can carry pollution into the San Francisco Bay, helping to protect the marine mammals that call these waters home. We hope by the end of this event you will have a stronger understanding of the connection between healthy urban forests and healthy marine ecosystems and will have some goals for next steps to take on your conservation journey.

• We sign community service hours for youth if needed!

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.

Available All Year

Eligible Grades:9-12th

The San Mateo County Historical Association offers a number of free public programs throughout the year for Lunar New Year, Happy San Mateo County Day, Fourth of July (half-price admission), Victorian Days, Día de los Muertos, and Hometown Holidays. We are always looking for volunteers to assist with craft activities and gallery monitoring for these events. Interested students can email carmen@historysmc.org for upcoming volunteer opportunities. WEBSITE

This is a great opportunity for SHS students to be matched with a younger student to tutor once or twice a week.

If interested contact:

Email - rclread@redwoodcity.org

Phone- 650 780-7077

For more information go to their website and scroll down to the Teen Volunteer Section.

(Flier in College and Career Center)

Gladeo Bay Area offers resources that help student users

• Learn about Careers by exploring top industries, career paths, and employers in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area region.

• Watch Video Interviews that show how community college alumni from the Bay Area region navigated their way to successful careers.

• Explore Career Progression Roadmaps that illustrate the types of jobs a person has within an industry as they progress in their career.

• Search the Program Finder to find certificate, degree, and training programs that will help students reach their career goals.

• Connect with Resources and Opportunities by receiving a personalized newsfeed of events, networking opportunities, and internships.

• Take a Personalized Career Quiz to map personality type and interests to potential career options and industries.

Article from College Transitions, February 24, 2026

A four-year university isn’t the only path to a high-paying career—a two-year associate degree can lead directly to high-paying, in-demand roles. Highlights from the data show that fields like healthcare (including Dental Hygienists and Diagnostic Sonographers) and engineering technologies offer median salaries ranging from $60,000 to over $100,000 without four years of college debt.

Why read further? This guide breaks down the highest-earning associate degree paths, complete with salary projections and job growth metrics. Explore cost-effective post-secondary options, fast-track career routes, or practical stepping stones toward a future bachelor's degree.

Job Type: Part-Time (6–12 hours/week, with opportunities for additional hours)

Program Dates: June 2, 2026 – December 31, 2026

Location:
Think Zone Learning Center (Redwood City)

777 Woodside Rd, Ste A1 Redwood City, CA 94061

Pay: $18.50–$20.00/hour

Love Math? Make a Difference. Build Your Resume.

Looking for a rewarding after-school job? Join Think Zone, where you'll help elementary and middle school students build confidence in math while gaining valuable leadership, communication, and teaching experience.

Whether you're preparing for college, exploring a future in education, or simply looking for a meaningful part-time job, this is a great opportunity to grow your skills while making a real impact.

About Think Zone

Think Zone, part of TAL Education Group, helps K–8 students build strong math foundations through engaging, personalized instruction. We believe learning should be fun, challenging, and confidence-building—and our tutors play a huge role in making that happen.

Find out more information and apply here.

Help lead fun, hands-on STEM and creative enrichment programs for K–8 students after school. No prior teaching experience required—training is provided. We’re looking for dependable, upbeat coaches who take initiative and enjoy working with kids and are great team players!

Details

• When: 1–2 days/week, after school (typically 3:00–4:30 PM or 3:30–4:30 PM, depending on the site)

• Where: In person at school sites in Menlo Park, Palo Alto, San Mateo, San Jose, and Los Gatos — pick the locations most convenient for you

• Pay: $20/hour with 2.5 hours of paid training at the start

• What you’ll do: Lead engaging activities (LEGO, robotics, maker projects, basic coding), manage small groups, and support a positive classroom environment

Requirements

• Reliable, responsible, and strong communicator

• Prior leadership experience in clubs is great to have!

students can apply here!

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

Teach with Hummingbird Music School

Hummingbird Music School is looking for fun, talented, and reliable high school musicians to join our team of music teachers!

Part-time teaching opportunities are available in San Carlos and Redwood City. Teachers may lead Group Piano and Group Ukulele classes at local elementary schools and/or teach private lessons. We welcome musicians who teach piano, guitar, ukulele, voice, drums, strings, woodwinds, brass, and other instruments.

This is a great opportunity for accomplished young musicians who enjoy working with children, want to gain teaching experience, and are excited to share their love of music with the next generation.

Pay

• Group classes: $60/hour
• Private lessons: $45/hour

We’re looking for teachers who are:

• Strong and enthusiastic musicians
• Dependable and responsible
• Comfortable working with children
• Friendly, encouraging, and patient
• Excited about creating a positive, low-pressure learning environment

Interested in joining us? Apply here!

High School Juniors/Seniors: Do you like working with kids? Kumon, the world's largest after-school enrichment program, seeks energetic Part-time Grader Assistants for immediate hire for the 2026/2027 school year.

Several positions open at the San Carlos Kumon center's after-school math and reading program. Responsibilities include:

• Assisting students (elementary and middle school) with Reading & Math (12 positions open)

• Working directly with early learners (aged 4 – 7 years old) in Math and Reading (Early Learner Grader Assistant position open)

• Grading math & reading worksheets

• Light administrative duties

* Experience in a paid or non-paid job working with kids including teacher’s aide, babysitting, coach, etc is a plus

* Strong English reading/comprehension & advanced Math proficiency is preferred Skills Include:

• Strong interpersonal/verbal communication skills

• Responsible and detail-oriented

• Able to work independently and multi-task

* Approximately 6 - 10 hours per week on Monday and Thursday afternoons.

Ideal part time job for high school or college students. Hourly rate: $18+ DOE Please email your resume/qualifications & available work hours on Mon & Thurs if you are interested: kumonsancarlos@gmail.com

Aug 16-22: Start of the year