u/Fresh-Poem-4458

Would it make a difference in admissions if I prepared for and took some math competitions as a rising senior with a mostly empty summer? I've heard some admissions take that seriously and even give more merit based aid based on AMCs.

For context, I've taken the AMC8 twice and advanced to AIME in freshman year (not sophomore tho), and took AMC12 junior year, to little success. I'm planning to self study linear algebra over the summer (nothing better to do) and planning to major in applied math.

Thanks!