As a Stanford alum and parent, I find these dream college exercises to be somewhat absurd. To be sure, you may ask; “If you could attend any college, which college would you attend.” You could also ask overweight, middle age men, “If you could start for any NFL team, which team would you choose.”
The problem (as some posters have noted) arises when some kids get their hearts set on attending just one school (be it Stanford or some other school), their dream school. Most won’t get into their dream school, just like most won’t play in the NFL. Life goes on. College is largely what you make of it. If you are fortunate enough to get into Stanford and then do nothing because you have achieved your dream, you will fail. It will be a waste of a great opportunity.
Two pieces of advice; (1) Don’t fall in love with a school until you have been admitted. (2) College is at least 90% what you make of it. I know plenty of people who wasted opportunities at places like Stanford. I also know plenty of people who received great educations at “lesser schools” because they seized the opportunity.