The simple answer… yes. Or it would be helpful if all elite colleges especially offered ED or EA. If your top choice(s) do not have an early application phase, you simply have no other option but to apply to many colleges and then wait until late March / early April with angst and anticipation.
And these colleges do not help with all of their mailings and emails about how you should apply… our college is affordable to everyone admitted, we are holistic in our admissions policy, etc., etc. It is almost like they are pleading with these kids to apply.
3 years ago, I then watched as my daughter was rejected by all 8 reaches and 4 out of 5 matches. And of course, ironically, those 12 rejections had come from schools that had contacted her scores of times… both before and after she had applied. The tone, usually false, is set that this school wants me… when in reality, they are just trying to raise their application # even higher.
But to the OP’s initial inquiry… yes - any way to alleviate the stress or help guide these applicants early on in the process would be a welcome change. I am going through the same process again with my younger daughter currently… who is applying to 13 schools - all because her top choice does not have an early option.