The big problem AOs have is I’ve overheard several juniors talking among themselves about what clubs they can join to get leadership positions for colleges apps vs clubs they can join because they love the club.
Ditto for other ECs.
I don’t read college apps - just offer advice to high schoolers (and sometimes write LORs), but I completely understand why they could take a cynical view of something started late, then pumped up in an app.