This year, Fischer High School has a new College Counseling department led by Aleny Garcia, Director of College Counseling, and Justin Lubor, Associate Director of College Counseling. Within a few short months, Garcia and Lubor have already made changes to Fischer High School’s College Counseling process.
Garcia and Lubor added drop-in hours during lunch so students could meet with them at a more convenient time. They also introduced Scoir as an online service to improve the college admissions process. Scoir enables students to sign up for college visits at Posnack School, allows colleges to communicate with students, and offers a catalog of information about each college, which helps students build their college lists.
Garcia:
Garcia was born and raised in Miami, and has two dogs, Mindy and Buddy. Garcia was the Associate Director of College Counseling at Ransom Everglades School before coming to Posnack. Garcia appreciates her transition to college counseling at Fischer High School. “Students have been really sweet, kind, welcoming, and parents as well,” Garcia said. “It’s been refreshing to see students really eager to engage with us in the process.”
Garcia likes that the college counseling suite is in a central location, the entrance of Fischer High School. “We see everybody walking by, so we have many opportunities to interact with students,” Garcia said.
Garcia loves working in college counseling. “One of my favorite things is when I meet with a student, and you see the light bulb go off about either what they want to write about, or a college that they hadn’t thought of, and really like,” Garcia remarked. “The process can be nerve-racking and it’s nice to see when students have a positive connection to the process, and a positive reaction where I feel like I really helped that student get to that point of discovery.”
Garcia also loves the writing part of college applications. “Part of why the writing piece is one of my favorite parts is because it’s nice to help students, who sometimes underestimate themselves, see they have something to contribute or write about that is unique and special.”
Garcia wants students to know that she and Lubor meet with the academic advisors regularly. Students do not have to wait until junior year to start asking questions. They can ask their academic advisor and their questions will reach the college counselors.
Garcia offered advice for Fischer High School students. “Don’t do what you do for college, do it for yourself,” Garcia said. “And really think about why you’re doing what you’re doing. I think sometimes students do things because they feel they have to, or because they think it’s going to look good for college. This will make you unhappy if it’s not connected to who you are as an individual. So it’s important for what you’re doing to be authentic so that high school is a memorable experience, rather than feeling like you just went through high school and don’t have any positive memories to think back on.”
Remarking on this year, Garcia stated, “It was great getting to work with such caring students and help them along their academic journey. I feel very lucky to have joined the Posnack School community with the Class of 2023 and I’m incredibly excited to continue getting to know the Class of 2024.”
Lubor:
Lubor was born and raised in Boca Raton and has a white German Shepherd named Jack. Previously, Lubor was on the other side of the college admissions process. He was Assistant Director of Admissions at Lynn University and Admissions Coordinator at Florida Atlantic University before coming to Posnack.
Lubor decided to become a college counselor after realizing that he loves having one-on-one connections with students and getting to know each one. “I really love working with high school students and getting to see the light bulb go off in their head,” Lubor said. “Instead of just focusing on one or two specific schools, now I can help students get into many other schools. I’ve had a few students come in yelling that they’ve been accepted. That’s the best part about the job, to see students flourish.”
Lubor offered advice for Fischer High School students. Lubor said, “Be yourself. Take full advantage of everything that we have to offer here. Work with us, work with your teachers, we’re all here to help you. Nine times out of ten our door is open. Come on in.”
