That’s the way a lot of kids do it, like it or not. Big question this time of the year is which college should get the ED or REA application. Most every kid zu know could not care less if Harvard is a match for them in what they want. If they get in, they’ll go for prestige sake.
If someone wants to play that lottery, I say go on ahead. I’m not about to discourage anyone online. Actually, anyone who is really bent on applying to any college or program despite what I think (or know) about chances of acceptance , I’m not going to discourage. There may be something I’m missing. There is serendipity in this universe and sometimes you just gotta try or it bugs you that you didn’t. There is no shame in being turned down by HPYSMC. et al.
The important part of all of this is to spend as much time on the affordable schools that you know will take you. If applicants cover that base, let them apply to the low chance schools all they want. That’s part of the reason they are so danged selective.