Parents? Usually, they're more clueless on "chances" than the students around here.
At least people like finale have gone through the admissions process recently. The fact is, the ones on the chances forum GIVING out advice are also ASKING for advice. They're just as blind and clueless. The parents/college students as you have mentioned only give extensive/worthwhile on a limited number of schools (ie. UC's). Where are the posters who've actually applied and have insight into the Ivy Leagues? (which quite frankly, are what most chances requesters on this site desire).
PS:
Congrats on Harvard finale
!