Leslie is a genius. She knows EVERYBODY in the field, and she knows what school is looking for what kind of student. My kid got into EVERY SCHOOL she applied to. She is worth FAR beyond the price of rubies...

ARTLINK Parent Marianne D. Los Angeles

 

Leslie did a great job guiding my son not only through the application process for art and film schools, but, more importantly, in his development as an artist. She encouraged him to dig deeper and take risks, which has been key to his growth.
ARTLINK Parent, 2022/2023, Pacific Palisades student will attend USC School of Cinematic Arts.

Jamie and I just want to reach out to say thank you for inspiring Edith and helping her shape her future.

ARTLINK Parent 2021/22 Michael K., Hollywood, LAUSD VAPA HS student will attend RISD

 

Leslie is a powerhouse and is worth every single penny. We are so grateful we found her and that our son had the opportunity to work with such a talented mentor.

ARTLINK Parent 2021/22 Meg G. Valley Village. Crespi HS student will attend SCAD

Leslie opened doors for me that I didn’t even know existed.

Leslie opened doors for me that I didn’t even know existed.

ARTLINK student 2020/21 Keaton M. Manhattan Beach attends Pratt

 

My son received acceptance from four of the best colleges and universities. I believe this was due to Leslie's guidance, mentorship, and expertise. Her thoroughness and consideration brought him there. As a parent, knowing that I could reach out to Leslie to answer questions or to get assistance on how I can help my kid prepare himself at home was invaluable. I absolutely recommend her and have encouraged my friends to consult with her as well

ARTLINK Parent 2020/21 Susan G./DTLA Student attends UAL/Central Saint Martin

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Leslie Karten is an invaluable resource in the college admissions process. She is an expert strategy consultant with the unique quality of specializing in “niche” portfolios. Leslie’s genuine interest in all her students is the driving force. The portfolio curation is an intense process that Leslie navigates with confidence, supporting and inspiring the young artist to create a stellar body of work. Having Leslie hold our daughter’s hand through the intense college application, portfolio development, and personal interviews made all the difference in the outcome as she was accepted to her reach school and is now on her way to realizing her dreams 

ARTLINK Parent 2020/21 Ileana A. Encino/LACHSA student will attend Central Saint Martins

 

I have grown so much as an artist working with Leslie and strengthened my skills technically and conceptually. All of which contributed to my acceptance with scholarship awards to SAIC, Pratt, and my top choice, RISD. Thank you for everything!

ARTLINK Student 2020/21 Lily J. Vistamar HS Manhattan Beach will attend to RISD

 

The college admission process seemed daunting and difficult until I started working with Leslie. Whether it was finding the right schools to apply to or choosing the order or my portfolio, Leslie's years of experience and guidance made every step of the process less stressful and actually enjoyable. Leslie helped me tremendously with applying to art school while also helping me grow as an artist and a thinker.

ARTLINK Student 2019/20 Eliana S. Wildwood School attends Pratt

 

Leslie's counseling was crucial when I was applying to college. With her understanding of the application process and her understanding of my art she created a means of working that didn't feel strenuous or forced, but rather a continuation of what I was doing, that simultaneously took different paths into the type of work that was worthy of a portfolio piece. Leslie knew exactly what was needed of me and knew exactly how to help me get there. She was available at all times to help in every aspect. Under her guidance, I produced a portfolio I was truly proud of and was accepted into my top choice school. Leslie Karten is an expert in her field, and I am eternally grateful to have been able to work with her.

ARTLINK Student 2019/20 Archie T. New Roads School attends Parsons

 

Leslie is amazing! She guided my two daughters, curating their portfolios and art school assignments, as well as helping them to be ready for interviews with art schools - we could not have gone through this process without her!  They both got into top art schools. If your child is considering an art school or a university with an art program Leslie can offer you an expertise and knowledge like no one else!! My daughters received scholarships from everywhere they were accepted. There is no other resource like ARTLINK!!

ARTLINK Parent 2018/19 Nancy K. Pacific Palisades/both students attend RISD

 

Leslie is a treasure! She is completely dedicated and extremely knowledgeable. Leslie helped my daughter navigate the application process for art colleges and art programs. She definitely helped shape my daughter's creative process and had a real impact on her enthusiasm for art. My daughter was offered scholarships that covered the bill at Artlink many times over!

ARTLINK Parent 2018/19 Vala L. Westwood/ New Roads School student attends Carnegie Mellon

Leslie saved me! My experience with Leslie was completely unmatched. I began making art my junior year of high school, and when I came to Leslie I had no art pieces to put in my portfolio, and I had not the slightest clue on how to apply to art schools; I was only beginning to explore art and trying different mediums out. Leslie showed me how to put together and curate my portfolio filled with works in different mediums, with which I applied to most of the top art schools in the country. I received acceptance letters and merit scholarships from all schools including Rhode Island School of Design. As a developing teenage artist, I never thought I would be able to consolidate my work and be as proud of my art as I am today, and Leslie helped me do this. From knowledge and experience about working with student artists, Leslie has mastered the art of balancing guidance with pushing her students to find their own artistic voice. Thanks to Leslie, I learned how to make works which are a true expression of how I chose to see the world and art that is informed by the world around me, for the world around me. I truly don't know what I would have done without Leslie...
ARTLINK Student 2017/18 Dana M. Oakwood School attends NYU

 

We are so happy that we found ARTLINK and Leslie to help our daughter through the art school application process. Even though we were late in contacting her, Leslie immediately developed an action plan and strategy.
She curated our daughter's portfolio and guided her in the submissions. She regularly met with her and encouraged her to develop her own voice and independence. She also suggested valuable classes to help her further develop her art. In the end, my daughter applied to 5 colleges and was admitted to all 5 (with a scholarship!), including Pratt, SAIC, Parsons, CCA and RISD.
We highly recommend Leslie & ARTLINK for their caring no nonsense approach, and of course for the results.
Thank You, Leslie!

ARTLINK Parent 2017/18 Carole Z. Venice CA/Wildwood School student attends Parsons           

 

We LOVE Leslie. When we hired Leslie Karten and ArtLink at the end of our teen's Sophmore year, Leslie quickly got to work developing our teen's portfolio. Leslie met with our teen regularly to discuss and guide the direction of the work. She encouraged arts summer programs from as far away as Paris College of Art to California College of the Arts. Our teen matured so much that summer and more certain than ever about art school.
Senior year Leslie swung into college application action! She met with our teen and they mapped out a college application plan. Leslie followed through on all the deadlines, portfolio submissions, promoting and encouraging all the way. Leslie was 100% organized, reachable and thorough. My husband and I enjoyed a hands-off view of applying to college. What a gift.
Just this month our teen received multiple college acceptances with scholarships from the University of the Arts London to The New School Parsons Paris to California College of the Arts, Savannah College of Art and Design, School of the Arts Institute of Chicago, not to mention UC Davis! Thank you, Leslie!!

ARTLINK Parent 2016-18 Rebecca K. South Pasadena HS/student attends RISD

 

ARTLINK is an amazing resource and I'm so thrilled we found them. Leslie worked closely with our daughter on her portfolio and actually curated her art and photography portfolio so as to show her best work to the art and design colleges she wanted to apply to. With Leslie's expertise and guidance, our daughter was accepted to 5 out of the 5 top art schools she applied to. She was thrilled to be accepted at her first choice.

ARTLINK Parent 2017/18 Jane B. Glendale/ student attends SVA

 

Leslie has been an absolute lifesaver. Our daughter's confidence has grown stronger with every meeting and her portfolio just keeps getting better and better. We would definitely recommend Artlink to any family who feels daunted or lost by the whole college application process or just to anyone with a sensitive, artist child who needs some help figuring out the way forward. Leslie is wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!

ARTLINK Parent 2016/17 Carol R. London England

 

Leslie is amazing!! My daughter was admitted to all of the colleges she applied to including RISD!! I would recommend her 100% to any family looking for guidance, and support for admissions to Art School and University Art programs. She knows what each school is looking for and can help find the best fit for your student! She helped with every aspect including portfolio development and essay writing. She was worth every penny and a lovely person.

ARTLINK Parent 2015/16 David J. Hancock Park, student attends RISD

 

Leslie Karten is a master of her craft. Not only is she a successful artist, designer, teacher, and arts administrator, but she also helped us get our daughter into L.A. County High School for the Arts, and years later she helped get her into both California College of the Arts and Pratt in Brooklyn NY with a scholarship! Leslie is totally connected to the college art scene from coast to coast. I don't think there is a more qualified person to teach and advise your child and help them get into art school.

ARTLINK Parent 2015/16 Bill R. Silverlake/ LACHSA student attended CCA

 

Leslie brings such enthusiasm, expertise, and experience to the art school admissions process. She knows the programs inside and out, and guides your student to the school best suited to his or her talents. There's always the long-view in mind with Leslie … from course selection in high school, summer opportunities, and awards submissions … she knows how to build and develop young artists to reach their potential.

Parent 2014/15 Meg A. Pasadena/student due to attend CCA 

 

Ms. Karten gives her all in passionately promoting and advocating to ensure her students are accommodated with excellent opportunities. She is personally invested in students' artistic dreams and aspirations.

Student 2013/14 Christina Y. San Gabriel attended Art Center

 

I am currently a student at the Rhode Island School of Design. If it weren’t for Leslie Karten’s guidance and enthusiasm for helping others, I may have wound up somewhere completely different. She has fostered many students, going out of her way to not only further a student's creativity, but she opens up one's life to new experiences.

Student 2013 Val K.attended RISD

 

Leslie’s counsel was a crucial part of our son’s Art school acceptances. Not only was her advice spot on, she made the process enjoyable. From advising our student on a good school fit for his style and personality to providing him with contacts at the schools that he applied to, Leslie's guidance inspired in us the confidence we needed. Her deep understanding of our young artist combined with her undivided attention when he was pulling his portfolio together, she helped us focus on what was important throughout the process from beginning to end. Leslie has the connections, flair and expertise to guide your student to their perfect fit school.

Parent 2013/14 Paula T. Hollywood, student attended Cal Arts

  

Leslie Karten was an incredible guide and teacher for our daughter Rebecca. When it came time to choose an art school Leslie had a clear sense of the environment that would be most appropriate for Rebecca’s talents. Her vast contacts, knowledge and intuitive sense of her students make Leslie a unique resource regarding which schools to apply to and which pieces to include in a portfolio best suited to each school. She is encouraging, supportive, honest and realistic.

Parent 2013/14 Mark F. Pacific Palisades, student attended CCA

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