Academics

College Counseling

Our Philosophy:

Dexter Southfield’s program of college counseling is designed to help each student find a suitable match in higher education to support his or her academic needs, goals, and interests. The college counseling office provides individualized counseling, guidance, and support throughout every step of the college search and application process.

We understand that the college search and application process can be both a challenging and exciting journey. We strive to educate students and families to ensure a full understanding of the comprehensive process and provide the adequate tools and resources to help successfully navigate the process. The office works closely with students’ advisors, teachers, and coaches to ensure that colleges and universities receive the fullest image of each student’s achievements and promise.

We assist students with:

• Self-reflection and self-evaluation
• Research and exploration of post-Dexter Southfield options
• Standardized test planning
• Building a college list
• NCAA athletic recruiting
• Application strategy and deadline management
• College visit planning
• Interview preparation
• Essay and supplement writing
• Understanding and applying for financial aid
• Gap year and PG (Post-Graduate) year options
• Making a final enrollment decision

When do we start working with students?

The college counseling office meets with students in classes 9 and 10 to discuss early college planning and standardized testing. In class 11, students are assigned a college counselor and begin the process of researching colleges and universities, which constitutes a major milestone in a young person’s development toward adulthood. Therefore, while the office offers extensive communication, aid in organizing information, and direction in the changing environment of today’s higher education admissions, the primary responsibility for choosing a path after Dexter Southfield lies with the student.

We encourage our students to self-advocate throughout the process. The student is the one who after graduation will join a new community of learners and apply what he or she has learned to make positive academic and social contributions. By attending to students’ needs during their time at Dexter Southfield, and by anticipating many of the challenges that lie before them, the college counseling office extends the broad and deep foundation laid by the School. From here, Dexter Southfield students continue to do their best today and better tomorrow.

College Matriculations

5-Year Matriculation List
Class of 2018 Matriculation List

College Planning Resources

College Planning Resources
College Counseling Checklist and Timeline (Classes 9-12)
Naviance
Naviance Overview
Naviance Student Mobile App
Common Application
ACT College Planning
How to Demonstrate Interest in a College
Understanding Likely, Possible, and Reach Schools
Building a College List
Early Decision vs. Early Action
College Results Online
College Navigator

Planning for College Visits
College Visit Checklist
Get the Most Out of a Campus Visit
College Interviews: Practice Questions and Strategies

Helpful Literature
10 Things to Know About Getting Into Your Dream College
The College Search Process: Advice from a Participant Observer
What Colleges Want in an Applicant (Everything)
Rethinking College Admissions
Don’t Trust Your Friends’ Advice on Getting into College — and Other Tips from Admissions Experts
College-bound? It Pays to Visit First
Taming the Admissions Anxiety

Standardized Testing

A testing plan will be discussed with each student during individual college counseling sessions beginning in the fall of class 11. Students are responsible for registering for standardized testing (with the exception of the PSAT) as well as sending their scores to colleges. The Dexter Southfield School code: 220262.
SAT vs. ACT

There are several colleges that no longer require SAT or ACT scores.
Test Optional Schools

Prospective College Athletes
Remember to list the NCAA Eligibility Center (code 9999) as a score recipient whenever you register for the SAT or ACT. You can send all of your test scores to the NCAA and they will choose the best scores from each test section to create your sum score.

PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test)
Class 11 took the PSAT/NMSQT in October 2017.

PSAT 10
Class 10 took the PSAT 10 in April 2018.

PSAT
Taking the PSAT with Accommodations
PSAT Practice

College Board: SAT
SAT Test Dates and Deadlines
SAT Fees
Register for the SAT
Taking the SAT with Accommodations
SAT Practice Tests
SAT Test Day Checklist
View SAT Scores and Send Scores to Colleges
Self-Report SAT Scores
Interpreting SAT Scores
College Board Parent Email Reminders

College Board: SAT Subject Tests
Students enrolled in Honors or AP courses are strongly encouraged to register for the SAT Subject Test(s) in May or June for that respective subject. Class 9 and 10 students are encouraged to consult with their math and science teachers to determine if they qualify to take the test.
SAT Subject Test Requirements and Recommendations
SAT Subject Test Dates and Deadlines
Register for SAT Subject Test
Taking SAT Subject Test with Accommodations
SAT Subject Test Practice Questions
SAT Subject Test Day Checklist
Get Your SAT Subject Test Scores
Send SAT Subject Scores to Colleges

ACT
ACT Test Dates and Deadlines
ACT Fees
Register for the ACT
ACT Test Preparation
Taking the ACT with Accommodations
View Scores and Send Scores to Colleges
Self-Report ACT Scores

AP (Advanced Placement) Exams
AP Exam Dates and Fees
AP Exam Practice Questions
AP Exam Day Checklist
Taking AP Exams with Accommodations

Standardized Test Preparation
Although not specifically endorsed by Dexter Southfield, the companies below are known to serve many Boston-area students who are applying to selective colleges and universities.
Academic Approach (Newton)
Chyten Educational Services (Andover, Lexington, Newton, Wellesley)
Inspirica Tutoring (Newton, Wellesley, Marblehead, Nantucket, Cape Cod, The Vineyard)
Kaplan (Various locations in MA)
The Princeton Review (Various locations in MA)
Quintessential Tutoring (Millis) Russell@qtutoring.com | (508) 794-1016
Summit Educational Group (Newton)

Important Dates and Events

Please check back in summer 2018 for our 2018-2019 event dates.

College Athletics

What Students Need to Know About College Athletic Recruiting
NCAA Eligibility Center
Students interested in playing sports at an NCAA Division I or II school need to register for a Certification Account by the end of their class 11 year.
Website Registration Checklist
Initial Eligibility Brochure
Division I Academic Requirements
Division II Academic Requirements
Guide for the College-Bound Student Athlete
Probability of Going Pro
Additional NCAA Information

Sending Test Scores to the NCAA Eligibility Center
Remember to list the NCAA Eligibility Center (code 9999) as a score recipient whenever you register for the SAT or ACT. You can send all of your test scores to the NCAA and they will choose the best scores from each test section to create your sum score.

Financial Aid Resources

Applying for Financial Aid
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Federal Student Aid
CSS Profile
Colleges that Require the CSS Profile

Financial Aid Resources
College Board Financial Aid Checklist
MEFA Pathway College Cost Calculator
Types of Financial Aid
Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA )
Edvisors
Fin Aid

Loan Resources
Federal Direct Stafford Loan (subsidized and unsubsidized)
Federal Perkins Loan
Massachusetts No Interest Loan
Private Alternative Student Loan Options: Compare Various Lenders (Tool available for select colleges)

Scholarship Resources
Finding and Applying for Scholarships
College Board Scholarship Search
Fast Web
College Scholarships
Peterson's
Unigo
Cappex

Upcoming College Visits

Please check back in summer 2018 for our 2018-2019 college visit schedule.

For College Admissions Representatives

We're currently booking fall 2018 college visits. College admissions representatives are encouraged to book fall visits through RepVisits.

Dexter Southfield 2017-2018 School Profile
Dexter Southfield CEEB Code: 220262

School Address:
20 Newton Street, Brookline, Massachusetts, 02445

Visiting Campus:
Thank you for your interest in visiting Dexter Southfield! Once on campus, when you enter the second right at the main gate, bear right to the Sohier Building where the College Counseling Office is located on the first floor. Please check in with our College Counseling Office Manager, Lindsey Cunningham, then one of the college counselors will come to greet you.

Parking:
You're welcome to park in any designated parking spot in front of the Sohier Building.

If you have any questions, please call Lindsey Cunningham at 617-751-3670.

Preferred Local Hotels:
Courtyard by Marriott Boston Brookline (Coolidge Corner)
40 Webster Street
Brookline, MA 02446

Homewood Suites by Hilton Boston Brookline-Longwood Medical
111 Boylston Street
Brookline, MA 02445

We look forward to your visit!

Contact Us

For general questions or to schedule a student or parent meeting with the College Counseling team, please contact Lindsey Cunningham at lcunningham@dextersouthfield.org or 617-751-3670.

Our Location: Clay Center 422

Our Mailing Address:
Dexter Southfield
College Counseling Office
20 Newton Street
Brookline, MA 02445

Ms. Emily J. Moore
Director of College Counseling
ejmoore@dextersouthfield.org
617-751-3489

Mr. Brian LaRochelle
Associate Director of College Counseling
blarochelle@dextersouthfield.org
617-751-3619

Ms. Allison Haas
Associate Director of College Counseling
ahaas@dextersouthfield.org
617-751-3595

Ms. Lindsey Cunningham
College Counseling Office Manager
lcunningham@dextersouthfield.org
617-751-3670

Dexter Southfield School • 617-522-5544 • info@dextersouthfield.org

Absence Reporting Line: 617-751-3400 • Admissions: 617-751-3600

20 Newton Street Brookline, Massachusetts 02445 Directions

Employment Opportunities • Public Telescope Nights • Summer Camps

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