None of this seems sensible. But I get your point. AO’s have seen all the tricks and they can probably figure out a head-fake interests better than the average person given that they process thousands of applications every year.
Thus, the importance of being genuine and real in your application AND finding fit/the right match colleges. Having ECs, essays, courses, summer activities, camps, SAT subject tests, LORs, etc. which lineup behind the applicant’s interests makes as strong an applicant as possible with that person’s achieved grades and SAT/ACT scores.