If you only want an FC for people to chat with and get FC buffs, there are plenty of those out there and they are typically shouting on servers for members just handing out invites.

If an FC is asking for an application and you don't understand why, then you probably wouldn't be a good fit in there anyway so no need to worry about that.

There are endgame-focused FCs that look to recruit capable/experienced endgame raiders who also can show up to their particular scheduled events. In order to determine such things, an application process is the most effective method.

Sure, it's a video game but you don't need to just have a knee-jerk reaction without putting any thought into this. It serves the same purpose job applications in real life do - filtering out people who wouldn't be a good fit for your group for whatever reason.