Prep HQ is a web-based program that enables the College Center Staff and your Deans to communicate with students and parents. It is accessed through Westside’s website and provides information regarding scholarships, summer programs, college planning, financial aid, test information, resources, and college searches. Also available is an individual organizer that will hold information that the student inputs along with their grades, GPA, test scores, and class rank.
To Register: Go to Prep HQ (https://www.prephq.com/?id=txwestside). In a gray box to the left, “click here to register.” Students will be asked several questions, then they will create a user name and password. Once they are registered, parents email address can be added. Students, if you do not know your parents email, you may add them later by clicking on “settings.” Parents will then receive all emails sent. In order for parents to actually retrieve the information, students must give their user name and password to their parents.
NAVIGATING THROUGH PREP HQ:
The Welcome Page: This is the first page that you see when you log in to Prep HQ. Below the brief description of Prep HQ, all current Announcements are displayed.
Message Center: When an email is sent from the College Center to a particular distribution list, the message will remain stored in the message center.
My Organizer: This is the section in which students can create college lists, create a resume, and make a list of community service hours, school activities and awards. Students can also create of file of college applications and scholarships sent, and eventually view their personal academic record. (This will include grades, GPA, rank, and all test scores. This information will be downloaded by HISD, and should be available in the Fall of 2007).
Colleges: This page is used to inform you of scheduled college visits and/or college events. You may also search for various colleges based on selected criteria. If you have a particular college that you would like to view, simply type in the name and click on “find.” The college will appear with all pertinent data regarding entry requirements, majors offered, and athletic programs. A direct link to the school’s website is also located in the top right hand corner of that page. Before closing, click on “Save to college list.” All colleges that are saved will be stored by the student in “My Organizer” under “college list.”
Occupations: When this section is opened, a variety of occupations appear. If you click on an occupation of interest, the link will describe the occupation and, give job descriptions and list several schools that offer a related major.
Surveys: At the end of March, the senior survey will appear online. Seniors must complete the survey as part of the check out process. This enables Westside to gather vital information which is used to create our school profile. School profiles are sent to colleges along with requested transcripts.Scholarships: This page includes scholarships downloaded from the District, Prep HQ, and any that Westside’s College Center receives. They are listed in order of the deadline date. Simply click on the name of the scholarship and a complete description with all requirements can be viewed. In most instances, hard copies will be made available in A205. Sometimes the application form must be downloaded. READ!!! Websites are listed when an application may be downloaded.
Summer Programs: Any summer program or internship received by Westside’s College Center will be posted under “Summer Programs.” Click on the title and you can view a complete description, website or contact information and requirements for acceptance in the program. In some instances, you will have to go to the website to download the application. READ!!!
Test Prep: This section provides information presently provided by Sylvan Learning Center. They give an overview of the SAT, ACT, and PSAT. If you click on FAQ’s, most of your questions regarding the tests should be answered. Sylvan also offers test prep and a direct link to their site is provided.
Financing College: In this section you will find a direct link to the FAFSA and information on grants, work study, several types of financing of college, and information on public and private loans.
On Track : Once you have created a “college list” in “My Organizer,” you may view your list in On Track. When you click on one of the colleges on that list, you can view all the scholarships offered at that particular school.
Office Information: This is where students and parents can find information directly related to our College Center.
Links and Resources: Prep HQ has provided direct links to several worth- while resources such as NCAA Clearinghouse, Fast Web, college scholarship search sites, College Board, and others.
Test Information: This will be updated each Fall with all the Testing Dates for that school year: PSAT, SAT, ACT, AP exams, and TAKS. (Direct links to register for SAT and ACT are also provided).
Student Checklist: A student checklist for college planning has been provided for each year in high school. (This will be revised and updated periodically).