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Academic Guidance Counselor
Franko Cifizzari has been an academic
guidance counselor/teacher at the International School of Lausanne since
September 2001.
In addition to his role as academic
guidance counselor, Franko teaches IBDP Economics and has taught IBDP History
and social science courses throughout the Secondary School. He is also an IB
economics examiner, forensics and debate coordinator, and a Year 12 homeroom
teacher. Franko was born in the United States and earned an undergraduate
degree in Economics at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He gained
his teaching certification in California and began teaching and working in
variety of advisory roles with high school students in 1992 at Squaw Valley
Academy in Olympic Valley, California. In 1999, Franko moved to Athens,
Greece, and worked at the American Community Schools. He is currently working
on his master’s degree in international education at the University of Bath
in the United Kingdom.
The role of the academic guidance
counselor is to:
·
answer questions or concerns of students or
parents (Parents, please call 021 560 02 43; students, please stop by and see
him and/or arrange an appointment for an extended visit)
·
encourage students to attend college fairs
·
meet and discuss options for further education
and related topics
·
encourage students to meet with
representatives who visit ISL
·
ensure that all students have help in their
application process
·
provide guidance in deciding between
universities or programs within universities
·
provide the necessary ISL documentation,
transcripts, and recommendations that individual universities request
·
encourage students to meet deadlines
·
assist students with essays/personal statements
·
facilitate the process of finding responses to
questions that students have been unable to answer from their own research
The role of the academic guidance
counselor is not to:
·
choose universities for the student
·
choose degree programs for the student
·
meet deadlines that are specific to a
university IF the student does not meet the internal deadline. (Completed
applications should be given to the academic guidance counselor one full
month prior to any external deadline.) NOTE: It is the responsibility of the
student to be aware of university deadlines. These may vary between
universities
·
request the application
·
complete the application
The role of the parents is to:
·
be a supportive force in your child’s
application process
·
discuss with your child the various
options/programs of studies, and universities/ countries that they will
consider
·
encourage them to meet internal and external
deadlines
·
discuss financial options - limitations
inevitably exist
·
maintain lines of communication with their
academic counselor when questions arise
The role of the parents is not to:
·
apply or complete university applications for
your child
·
write your child’s essays or personal
statement
·
choose your child’s degree program or
university
The role of the student is to:
·
research your options through college books,
the ISL library, and the internet
·
compile a list of potential colleges and
programs before the end of the university year. Refine/revise the list over
the summer and try to visit some of the universities. Please avoid university
visits while school is in session.
·
attend college fairs and meet with
representatives who visit our school
·
listen to the advice of your counselor,
parents, and teachers
·
work on personal statement or college essays
(if required) and complete them well before the School’s internal deadlines
·
be proactive (Do not sit back and expect the
process to happen, take ownership!)
·
meet internal and external deadlines
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