Hoe much weight do colleges place on work placements/internships and uni summer schools?

Applying to College
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<p>I've already done 2 weeks of 'taster' work experience at a civil engineering firm.
Next summer I'm planning on either doing a 2-3 week chemical research placement at a university (UCL), a 5 week paid internship at a materials processing firm, or a summer school programme on International Leadership at a uni (KCL).</p>

<p>How much weight do admissions staff in the US place on things like these, especially at the the lower Ivies and other top US schools?
I know some unis here in the UK love stuff like this.</p>

<p>And I won't be able to do all three, no matter how much I'd love to, so would it be better to do something with more of a research, or more of an industrial focus? Or something academic but unrelated to my intended major?</p>

<p>Thanks a bunch; I really appreciate any advice. :)</p>

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<p>Do the chemical research placement if that’s related to your intended major otherwise do the leadership summer school if it is prestigious and hard to get in. Some summer schools in the US such as Harvard etc. are not very competitive in terms of selection so it wouldn’t be much good to be accepted into those programmes. </p>

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<p>Cool, thanks for the info.</p>