I am looking to take the Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) exams for 3 programs: Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator. I plan on taking them regardless of how colleges view them (they’re part of my interests after all).
I would like to know, though, how colleges view applicants with these certifications. I understand that certifications are only part of my application and will not have a huge impact on my admission. Regardless, I am curious to know the extent to which they will help.
Will being an Adobe certified expert help me get a needed edge in college admissions?
No.
Being involved with projects, activities, or business/work in the computer sciences, if that is what you are interested in, will certainly be a valuable part of the EC portion of your applications. Chasing certifications, no.
I think it may support your application in the sense that you are serious about design, if that’s the major you intend to apply to. It may not be as useful for a traditional comp sci major. It can be useful for internships while in college.
I don’t see it giving a significant edge in admission , compared to other extra curricular activities.
This won’t get you into college, but it may get you a better than decent job that will help pay for college. 