From https://creativekcc.com/about/

Harriet’s background is uniquely suited to help students pursuing the arts to reach their goals.

Harriet has over twenty years experience as an executive producer of animation, live action and special effects for national and international brands. She was involved in casting talent, hiring musicians and producing a variety of media. She has hired countless college students from a variety of programs and maintained close contacts with internship granting institutions.

With Harriet’s help, students identify preferred programs; prepare essays, portfolios and auditions. With her guidance, students learn to communicate who they are as they navigate the college search and application process. Harriet is well-informed of the particular requirements for applying to a visual or performing arts program. She helps the student to convey their passion and commitment in all parts of their college application. This is an innovative approach to college counseling that directly speaks to the interests and talents of this specific group of students.

Currently, Harriet volunteers as the college and career counselor for the Mountain View/Los Altos High School District’s Freestyle Academy of Communication Arts and Technology. After observing the student’s reticence to use the mainstream resources available to them, Harriet felt there was a need to assist students in identifying programs that were of interest to them. Her goal is to help the student prepare a concise presentation of who they are and what skills they possess.

Harriet has made presentations to groups of students and their parents, helping them to understand what options are available. She has privately counseled students on their portfolios and has helped with essay preparation and the audition/application process. Her students currently attend a variety of schools including Brown, Carnegie Mellon, NYU, Boston Conservatory, MICA, Pratt, University of Michigan, RISD, UCLA, USC, Chapman and LMU.

Harriet is a member of NACAC, The National Association for College Admission Counseling and WACAC, The Western Association for College Admission Counseling and maintains active involvement in the area of visual and performing arts programs.

For questions, please email Harriet Katz - Freestyle's Parent Volunteer College Career Counselor at ccc@freestyleacademy.rocks

Special Events at Freestyle to prepare for college

Preparing For College

Download a pdf of these slides

Timeline to College

Sample Questions to ask
Admissions Counselors or Program Directors

1. Who are the instructors? What is their background and industry experience?
2. What is the student-faculty ratio?
3. What programs are available in my area of interest? What types of courses are offered?
4. How difficult is it for students to register for required courses?
5. How flexible is the curriculum? Can I design my own program? Can I take classes outside of my major?
6. How many students transfer out of the school during or after their first year?
7. Can the student sit in on a freshman class when they visit the school?
8. What are the admissions requirements: Standardized tests? Portfolios? Essays? Interview? Letters of recommendation? Does the school offer financial aid and merit scholarships?
9. Does the school provide all of the necessary equipment needed for the student to learn and work in their field?
10. Are there enough studio and/or rehearsal spaces and adequate resources for the students?
11. Who are their students? How many undergraduate vs. graduate students are there?
12. Does the school offer opportunities to study abroad?
13. Does the school invite industry members to talk to classes about their fields?
14. Does the school provide a list of recent graduates, where they are working and/or provide access to current students or graduates for opinions of the school and program?
15. Does the school have an ongoing advisory board with industry members to help review course materials and changes to the industry?
16. Are career services offered to help students develop the knowledge, experience and skills to build and sustain a professional practice and become successfully employed?
17. Does the school promote their graduates to the industry through organized interviews, student showcases, etc.? Is there a system in place where industry members are given an opportunity to interview graduates?
18. What percentage of graduates goes immediately to work in their field? What percentage goes on to graduate school?