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:

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

April 2nd - Priority Deadline for FAFSA/Dream Application

April 2nd - Deadline for Cal Grant (Last Day to Submit FAFSA/Dream Financial Aid Application for Cal Grant Eligibility)

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)

March is the biggest month for scholarships!

Don't wait until you get admitted!

REMEMBER TO LAUNCH YOUR FAFSA/CADAA through CaliforniaCollege.edu

Login using your seq.org email (no password or username)

Click on sign in with Google

Hover over Financial Aid tab and choose Launch with either FAFSA or CADAA

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.

Sunday, March 30, 2025 | 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Hiller Aviation Museum | San Carlos, CA

AEDs will feature over 20 Organizations highlighting careers such as Pilots, Flight Attendants, Airport Operations, Aircraft Mechanics, Drone Technology, U.S. Air Force, and more!

Here are a few important details:

• This is a free event open to the public, with an emphasis on engaging High School and College students.

• No advance registration is required.

• Refreshments will be available for purchase.

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.

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.

Understand that they made their decision and it is not a good practice to state that they were wrong. Be polite and considerate of their time.

The letter does not need to be long.

The letter should be positive and focused on two areas; significant new information and/or an error in your original application. State the change and present evidence to back your claim.

In closing, reaffirm your interest in the college.

While most appeals are unsuccessful, if you have a claim and they allow appeals, then it does not hurt to try.

B. WAITLISTS

What is a Waitlist?

College waitlists include qualified students who might be admitted if room in the class becomes available.

Why do colleges have Waitlists?

Colleges always admit more students than they have space for because a % of students choose another college where they were admitted. If more students than predicted do not attend, colleges move to their waitlist (they want to fill 100% of their student body)

What are your chances of getting admitted off the Waitlist?

You should ask the college if they have data about past waitlists. Waitlists are tricky because sometimes they are looking for very specific students over the most competitive student. For example, a college might have a space for a nursing major or engineering major.

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.

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

California extended the date for state aid but...

• That does mean all the colleges you applied to changed their due dates - make sure you check!
• Everyday you delay, is another day the college can delay your award letter!
• Some colleges and scholarships require students to complete a financial aid application for Non Need Based Aid!

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

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.

The Metro College Success Program (Metro) at San Francisco State University (SFSU) looks forward to aiding in the successful transition from high school to college this coming fall. Our application is now open and seniors can apply today!

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.

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

CSS Profile is an online application that collects information used by hundreds of colleges, universities, professional schools, and scholarship programs to award financial aid from sources outside of the federal government. After you submit your application, the College Board sends it to the colleges and scholarship programs you have chosen.

Who Should Complete

Not all colleges and scholarship programs require the CSS Profile. Check with the ones you’re interested in to see if they require it.

When to Complete

Start your CSS Profile by visiting cssprofile.org at least two weeks before the earliest college or scholarship priority application date you need to meet. This date is the college or program’s deadline for submitting a completed CSS Profile application.

How Much It Costs

CSS Profile is free for families who make up to $100,000 a year. First-year domestic undergraduate students may submit CSS Profile for free if your family adjusted gross income is up to $100,000 or you qualify for an SAT fee waiver, or you are an orphan or ward of the court under the age of 24. CSS Profile fee waivers cover all application and reporting fees. If you do not qualify for a fee waiver submitting your CSS Profile to one college or scholarship program costs $25. Additional reports are $16 each. To qualify for the SAT-based fee waiver, students must log in to CSS Profile using the same College Board account used for the SAT. Providing eligible students with fee waivers for College Board programs and services is integral to our mission of connecting students to college success and opportunity.

Article

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

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.

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 April and March list is 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.

DUE: March 27th

For seniors planning to go to a 2-yr or 4-yr college or vocational-tech school next Fall. Awards range from $2,500 to $10,000. Applicant or applicant’s parents or guardians must live within a Cal Water service area.

Applicants must not be the child of a current or former employee of Cal Water, California Water Service Group, any of its subsidiaries, or a member of its Board of Directors.

DUE: March 28th

ELIGIBLE GRADES/AGES: 16-18 Yrs Old

Offers the chance for highly motivated individuals between the ages of 16-18 to obtain a $15,000 scholarship to apply toward flight training costs culminating in obtaining the FAA Private Pilot

DUE: March 28th

Three scholarships: (one $3500, one $2500, one $1500) to students interested in law or criminal justice careers (which includes any law-related profession). Download on Naviance or pick up in College and Career Center

DUE: March 28th

Applications reviewed by: GPA, HS attendance, helping to advance/support Sequoia HS traditions and spirit, community service and a personal interview. Application info linked in Naviance or pick up a copy in the College and Career Center

• Junior Matron Social & Service Club

Graduating female senior who demonstrates outstanding achievement through a strong commitment to community service. Planning to attend a community or four-year college/university and have GPA of at least 3.0 . Download on Naviance or pick up in College and Career Center

• Silicon Valley Foundation (SVCF) Dan and Lisabeth Kaplan Memorial Scholarship

Supporting individuals who have faced challenges in their pursuits, who have positive goals and are determined to succeed. As a family that also appreciates the arts and education, we are focusing on these areas, supporting individuals pursuing careers in related fields. 3.0 Unweighted. 4 yr college bound as a senior.

• SWE (Society of Women Engineers)- National Level

• Organization of Latino Actuaries Scholarship (OLA)

Applications will be evaluated on various criteria including, but not limited to, academic performance, commitment to pursuing the actuarial profession, exam progress, work experience, and leadership experience. 2.8 GPA

• Italian Catholic Federation First Year Scholarship

• National Farmers Farm Kids Scholarships

• ANS Incoming Freshman Scholarship

California Alarm Association Youth Scholarship

Due: April 4th

For children of active duty law enforcement and fire service personnel in the State of California who will be attending 4-yr college.

Monterra Credit Union Scholarship (formally San Mateo Credit Union)

Due: April 4th

For graduating seniors with GPA 3.0+, 500+ word essay; see website for topic.

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.

Here are five numbers you need to look for to understand what you'll have to pay for college.

Full Article from Money Magazine

1. Total cost of attendance

The total cost of attendance includes the obvious factors, like tuition and fees. But it also accounts for dorm fees (or rent, if you choose to live off campus), meal plans, books and miscellaneous living expenses, like transportation. Often, colleges will break these numbers into categories. “Direct expenses” are the costs that colleges will bill you for directly, like tuition and on-campus housing and meals, while “indirect expenses” are costs you’ll pay on your own, like off-campus rent or academic supplies.

Pay close attention to the indirect expenses — this is often where colleges understate expenses by leaving them out altogether. Indirect costs also will vary by family; if you’re living at home, for example, you don’t need to factor in rent, but if you’re attending a college across the country, your budget line for travel may need to be increased to account for trips home on school breaks.

2. Grants and scholarships

Grants and scholarships are often called gift aid, because they do not have to be repaid. They come from a few different sources. You should look for federal grants, like Pell Grants, which are based on financial need, as well as state grants, which will carry names like CalGrant. (State grants likely won't apply if you're looking at colleges out of state.)

The biggest source of grants and scholarships is often the college itself. You’ll see these awards under a variety of names. Sometimes they’ll be listed simply as an "institutional grant" or a grant with the college's name, or sometimes they’ll carry specific names, like the provost scholarship.

If you’re relying on a large amount of grant aid to pay for college, ask about the conditions for keeping the grant or scholarship in subsequent years.

3. Student loans

The student loans listed on financial aid letters will be federal student loans — specifically, subsidized student loans or unsubsidized student loans. The main difference is that subsidized loans do not accrue interest while you're in school.

In your first year of college, the maximum amount of federal student loans you can receive is $5,500 for dependent students (most students under 24) or $9,500 for independent students. That’s an annual sum, so you may see it broken in half for the fall and spring semesters.

Sometimes the names on the student loans can be unclear and they will vary from letter to letter. Look for terms like subsidized direct loan, unsubsidized direct loan, direct sub loan, direct unsub loan and unsub stafford loan — all of these are different names for the same two types of federal loans. In the worst cases, colleges may not even use the word "loan," but if you see unsubsidized, subsidized or an abbreviation of either, that’s a loan.

4. Parent loans

While parent loans can be a critical tool in college financing, they can be dangerous, too. There are no borrowing limits, interest rates are higher, and they don’t come with the same protections as student loans.

What’s more, colleges should not be counting parent PLUS loans as part of your financial aid offer. They’re not a guarantee — parents have to pass a simple credit check to receive them. Instead, they should be presented as an optional form of additional financing, separate from your main award. To find them on your letter, look for terms like parent loan, parent PLUS or Direct PLUS Loan.

5. Estimated net price of attendance

This is the most important number to look for — or to calculate on your own if it’s not clearly listed. Your estimated net price of attendance should be the full cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. It should factor in both the direct and indirect costs mentioned above, and it should not incorporate any student loans or parent loans.

If you’re having trouble figuring out the indirect costs, start by just subtracting your gift aid from the total for tuition, housing and meals. If you find that’s unaffordable on your college budget, it's likely you won’t be able to afford the more variable expenses.

Once you have an estimated net price that factors in grants and scholarships, subtract federal student loans from that amount if you plan to borrow. That’s how much you’ll have to come up with out of pocket, whether through savings, parent loans or income from work.

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!

WOW! That’s Engineering is an award-winning conference for high school girls/non-binary students. At the event, attendees will get to learn about different engineering fields through a series of workshops and design activities hosted by industry professionals. Our participating organizations this year are Altera, Lucid, Lockheed Martin, Capella Space, Nokia and more! Our keynote speaker and college panelists are excited to share their experience and give valuable advice. We also have an engineering design challenge where participants can tackle real-world problems, present their solutions to a panel of judges from various companies, and win prizes! This is a great opportunity for attendees to make new friends, understand what it takes to be an engineer, and consider their academic options in higher education.

Date: Sunday, March 23, 2025
Where: One Washington St, San Jose, CA 95192 (Diaz Compean Student Union @ San Jose State University)
Price: $10 (Please email swesjsu.wow@gmail.com for a code if you have any difficulties with this amount, no proof required!)

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/SWEWOW25

*We only have 100 spots total so please register before the spots fill up.

Due: April 1st

Young Ambassadors Program (YAP) is a national program for graduating high school seniors aimed at fostering the next generation of Latino leaders in the arts, sciences, and humanities via the Smithsonian Institution. WEBSITE

Due: April 11th

Grades Eligible: 9-12th

African American/Black, Native American, Samoan, Tonga, Fiji, Guam, Filipino, and Hispanic/Latino students who want to become a physician. WEBSITE

Due: April 11th

Grades Eligible: 9-12th

Girls Who Code offers two FREE programs in the summer: the virtual Summer Immersion Program and the Self-Paced Program. Applicants can apply for BOTH programs, if eligible, using this application. However, students can only participate in one summer program. Self-Paced Program/6-week flexible computer science course. Earn beginner-level badges in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for web development or an intermediate-level badge in Python for cybersecurity. Early decision deadline: Feb 26th WEBSITE

Due: April 1st

Grades Eligible: 9-12th

Complete the volunteer interest form early to secure a spot. Volunteers assist our camp programs by providing classroom support for art camps, from preparing materials and explaining lessons to working with individual students and supervising campers during breaks. 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.

8 Reasons To Become a Marine Biologist

1. Contribute to valuable scientific research

2. Incredible travel and outdoor opportunities

3. Help develop new, revolutionary technologies, drugs, and more

4. Tons of specialization options

5. Learn cool skills like scuba diving and sailing

6. Flex those math and science skills

7. Well-rounded foundation in both hard and soft skills

8. It’s your passion

Courses Recommended to Take in High School for a Marine Biology

Biology, Physics, Precalculus, Stats, Computer Science, Chemistry, IB courses

Concurrent Enrollment Courses

Oceanography, Nautical Sciences

US Marine Biology Degree Programs (Listed by State)

Fun Facts

UC San Diego - Science at Sea

Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UCSD operates one of the world’s largest academic research fleets

Jobs You Can Get With a Marine Biology Degree (click link for full list and explanations)

Marine Biologist Research Assistant (solid starting job)

Fisheries Scientist

Pharmacologist

Mapping and GIS Officer

Horticulturist

Marine Veterinarian

Consultant

Field Guide

Educator

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

ELIGIBLE AGE/GRADE: 15yr+

Part-time work is available teaching after-school group Piano Classes at local elementary schools, as well as private lessons (in all instruments) in-person or online. Pay is $60/hour for group classes and $45/hour for private lessons. Please apply online at http://hummingbirdmusicschool.com/about

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