It's better to start on 0.3z first, then move over later on.
The admin thing, they have no idea who would be a good admin, their only research they can do is see who has been a previous administrator and are experienced. I'm sure many of us would make good administrators, maybe one day there will be an opening. A good way to start is being a tester/helper. I'm sure they will check who's been a good contributor to the server and make them a trial administrator one day.
They will know with applications and interview. For tester first then admin yes but akiba is was admin on lsrp and he now admin on barp without application. That is not fair.
Nobody filled out an application as far as I know. And applications aren't perfect. The admins that we have now are chosen based on previous experience. All your points have been explained.
