I would personally recommend that you completely ignore whatever impact, if any, this choice will have on university admissions. Instead, pay attention to what is constructive and makes sense for you, and what opportunities are available to you.
This is the right reason to get research experience. It is however difficult to get research experience as a high school student.
Think about the people that you know from your work, and from shadowing, and from community service. Ask them if they could suggest any opportunities that you could participate in.
I have a daughter currently doing biotech research. I am pretty sure that she just worked a regular job for the summer between high school and university, and again for the summer after her freshman year of university. She did get involved in research over the summer after her sophomore year of university, and again during her junior year of university and over the summer and following school year after that.
You are likely to similarly find opportunities to get involved in research at some point after you start university. However, you do not need to attend a “top 50” university to do this. There are a lot of universities and colleges that are involved in a very wide range of research.
I think that this is exactly right. Be yourself. Be genuine. Be responsible. Be kind.
And this is very true also.