Yes it works out- if you mean do kids end up getting a solid college education even if they don’t have the “perfect” application.
Nobody can predict with any accuracy what any particular college is going to do about any specific applicant. If you have a couple of “sure bets” on your list which are affordable then just stop thinking about college for now. Nothing you can do at this point about your applications, GPA, etc, right? The cake is baked.
You will knock the cover off the ball wherever you end up so yes- holistic admissions comes through!!!