Admissions to grad schools and summer research programs as well. How to prestigious school view this in comparison to mid-range schools? Is there a difference? I’m also the first person in my family to graduate high school… I’m aiming for a PhD in biochemistry and am curious how far along this quality can benefit me. Thanks 
Depends on the college. You can check each college’s common data set, section C7, or its admissions entry on http://www.collegedata.com , for whether it is considered in frosh admissions.