I certainly agree with @RichInPitt’s sentiment expressed above in post #1.
The chart on page 15 of 28 pages of the 2019 NECAC report does support the article’s statement, but the percentage of participating schools which rank “demonstrated interest” as a most important factor in admissions is just slightly over 16%.
Not sure about the confusion regarding “incompetence”, but it refers to a state of being without ability, knowledge, fitness, etc. regarding a particular matter.