How beneficial is it to have done cancer research at your local university with a mentor, for colleges such as HYP, through programs such as Emperor Science Award? Note that this specific program only accepts 100 students nationally. Also note that the student is stem oriented and will make his love of science as a focus point in his college application. Also note that the student is doing research for his love of science and not just to have another addition to the college app. Thanks.
It is a solid EC. If you discovered and published something important, it becomes a stellar EC.
Some schools will value research over other schools. Some might speculate that the school that requires all undergrads to do research and write a senior thesis or senior project would value research over other schools.