Counselors Help Seniors with C.O.S Applications!

Redwood senior counselors help out seniors with their C.O.S. applications and give them good advice for the future!

By: Lily Swanson

On Thursday, January 11, 2024, the College Of The Sequoias [COS] held an application workshop for senior students looking to apply to C.O.S. It was held in the library and students could attend at any period to get help from one of the outreach specialists.

As Redwood seniors enter a new chapter in their lives they are forced to make a tough decision, leave the comfort of their hometown to attend a four-year college or stay in a place they grew up in surrounded by their family and friends.

Mr. Matta, a senior counselor here at Redwood says that the seniors who are choosing to go to C.O.S all go for different reasons, may it be that the student is just not read yet or a more popular one, cost. Mr. Matta says “One that has seen a big movement is the cost of entering a community college vs a university right away.”

For some of these reasons, students have chosen different paths straight out of high school, some of which may be Mr. Matta says, “…going to a community college, 4-year college, workforce, or military.”

For those who still choose to go to a community college for whatever reason some specialists helped with the College of The Sequoias applications on January 11, 2024, in the Redwood highschool library.

During the workshops, students were provided with instructions and guidance from the specialists.

Tierra Alcantara, an outreach specialist at College Of The Sequoias explains the first few steps to completing the application.

Alcantara says, “The first thing that you want to go ahead and do is submit an application for summer/fall 2024. After that, you are going to go ahead and meet with a counselor.” She explains how after applying, a specialist would help you get set up with a student educational plan that will list all the courses recommended for your major program of interest and register for classes. Tierra also says that “Priority registration will take place which is April 18-19.”

Making these big choices as a senior may be hard but they are an important part of your success and journey in life. No matter if your path is straight to a four-year college or just to a community college

Mr. Matta offers good advice for the future, “Stay focused, eyes on the goal, and keep working hard.”