We only see it in certain circles to be honest. At the kids alternative high schools (duel enrollment for one and project based charter for the other) there was very, very little focus on “dream school.” Kids who had a “dream school” either had a very sensible choice they’d most likely get or they had some wild option they didn’t qualify for and honestly knew very little about. Certain activities that attract kids from wealthier families, professional parents, often elite private high schools… those kids always have “dream schools.”
I think it comes from parents and the circles you float in. CC twists the real world of kids applying for college. I don’t think most are trying to get into NYU with no money. Most are trying to get into state school… maybe state school a couple hours away if they have more funds. Put it this way, almost ever single musical theatre friend the kids had are in private, more selective universities and almost all their classmates are in community or in-state public’s.