While I agree, I don't see being selective as necessarily being about a team competition. They have 100 applications for each spot; they have to select them.
FWIW: I recently saw the applications to several American elite colleges. All asked, one way or the other, 'how will our institution in particular help you in particular?', and 'how will you in particular contribute to our institution in particular?'. They seemed focused on the finding students who would benefit most and contribute most, not on a contest to see who gets the best credential.
I don't understand how the latter implies the former ?