How important is a good AIME score for college admissions?

@PandasAreCute In terms of impact on admissions at tippy top schools:

A decent AIME score has about as much impact as submitting an STS paper;

Qualifying for USAMO has about the impact of being an STS semifinalist;

Making IMO team has about the impact of winning one of the top prize at the STS finals.

I wouldn’t say any of them “look a lot better” than a 4.0/1600, but if you already have a 4.0/1600, they certainly don’t hurt, and can be the difference - particularly USAMO/STS Semifinalist and above.