One concern I have - you are picking schools by perceived equity. Have they been to any ? How do you know if your students likes large or small, hot or cold, urban or rural.
ED is not for gaming and one doesn’t need to ED. People say - they fill half the class ED. It’s true at some. But they are still admitting many RD. It’s just ED has a 99% yield. RD might be a 15 or 20% yield. So lots more getting in then attending.
The other thing ED does is take away financial flexibility.
Let’s say you get in CMC. Full pay. You also get into Rochester or Brandeis at $30k less.
You lose the chance to consider those - even though many would argue their brands are better known.
Your student likely has many opportunities ahead at great schools.
Nothing wrong with EDing a favorite. But for gaming - it’s a huge risk. You will be somewhere four years day after day. It’s more important to find the right fit. You don’t want to be bound, go to orientation and wonder - why did I ever apply here ? It’s not me.
So if there’s not a true known first choice, I would never ED.
And if you haven’t yet toured schools, I’d do that b4 building a list.
It doesn’t seem the student is involved - and they should be leading the search - with your guidance and input of course.