What are the best long-stay visa options for my friend in Thailand considering her current visa situation?

Hello Everyone,

My friend has a situation regarding long-stay options in Thailand. I want to run down her scenario to see if anyone has any ideas on my best course of action.

In January 2018, she arrived in Thailand on an METV from the US. She extended that Visa until September, 2018.

In September 2019, she got an Ed Visa at Pro Language and studied beginning Thai until that Visa ended in May 2019.

In May 2019, she left the country and returned by air and got a 30-day Tourist Visa on arrival.

In July 2019, she got a second Ed Visa from Pro Language to study introductory Chinese. That Ed Visa ends on April 1, 2020.

She turns 50 in November 2020. She has 7 months to stay in Thailand until her birthday. Of the following scenarios, what are the best options?

1. A third Ed Visa (for intermediate Thai). She met with Duke, a top, rigorous language school, but they say there’s chance immigration will not let her in. NOTE: they suggested she get a new passport, even though Duke said that immigration will look at her past record)

1. METV (go back to Los Angeles, get an METV, and use it until her birthday on 11/2020. Will immigration block her from entering? She only has 1 visa-exempt entry in the last 2 years...the other was her first METV in 2018.

1. Combine a 60-day Tourist Visa (plus 30-day extension), then use 2 allowable land entries (w/30-day extensions) to total 7 months from April until November.

1. Spend some time abroad, come back in 30 days on a tourist visa, then creatively combine land entries and extensions to get to November 2020.

Any feedback on the best embassies or crossings that provide the least hassle would be appreciated. (she's been to Vientiane, and the embassy grilled her when she processed her second Ed Visa because it was for a Chinese course)

Thank you for any input you might provide (or things I’ve not considered).