Comparing with other match contests, does wining mu alpha theta national contest help people get in top school?
A good way to think about these things is if the national competition costs money, it’s not that great. Still good, just not as good as those where your trip is paid for.
Work with what you’ve got, though. If you can make it there and can easily afford the travel, it won’t hurt. It isn’t necessarily going to be a fast pass though.
Your job on the college application is to highlight the things you have done. Don’t worry about comparing it to what others have done.