Does CMU's AP/EA program help with getting into CMU

I’m currently an international student studying in high school in US as sophomore, and aimed going to CMU for undergrad. I have seen that CMU has AP/EA program for high school students. How rigorous is that program? Does it help with admission to CMU or other top universities? Is it worth it to pay and spend 6 weeks there? And does early action to CMU require this program?