It may also be - we only have 3 drummers who applied this year or 8 ultimate frisbee players - need more.
I think ECs are extremely hard to nail down - does the ‘what’ matter beyond commitment and depth ?
AOs are humans with emotions and goals.
Every school is gonna have their bent.
If someone does what they enjoy, finds a few things they have tenure and depth with - I think they are ahead of the curve.