If the first choice is A&M, then why apply to the low reaches which will be more expensive than the UCs (assuming no need aid as they don’t have merit at NU, Penn, and I don’t think CMU.
My son’s gf was in Metallurgical and Materials - I don’t think there’s an issue there (at Bama) or anywhere else. The major there is Metallurgical/Materials and they are ABET accredited for Metallurgical. She is gainfully employed and had numerous options - but she did the 5th year Masters because it was free (in the same major). I know they took all the females in the major to some sort of seminar and job fair in Chicago - and there was a lot of interest from that alone. School paid.
Some schools - like A&M and Purdue - don’t have direct admission but I believe if they are NMF at A&M, that is waived (a new thing but you might check into that) - ie. you don’t go in as a defined engineering major but have to apply after a defined timeframe.
Things like Brown or Stamps are incredible. I don’t think you can count on them - even with your stats - but agreed, they are a whole other world. They are Hail Mary’s in other words…apply but assume it’s a higher reach than your low reach list of schools..
I do think her list is too long and for that you start with budget. Run the NPCs of schools like Northwestern or Penn, etc. Then whack the ones with the wrong major.
Just know with engineering, unless she’s looking at niche fields, the school name likely matters little short of a few.
And I personally think the CS/CE to a Materials Masters is a terrible idea.
For one, one doesn’t need a Masters but if you get it, there will likely be some classes she will need to make up before going for it.
I have a friend whose kid did Physics at a Boston school and is doing a Mech E Masters at Ga Tech and yet had to do a lot of pre req work before he started - and that’s a more direct path than the one your daughter would choose.
So I wouldn’t be applying at all for majors not of interest - but that’s me.
Best of luck.