What can you offer a seller that is beneficial beyond what listing their property on MLS will do?  

Only one person was unemployed but that was by choice.

seems like you made the right choice, many sellers want to base an evaluation on pro forma numbers which is entirely unrealistic.

When looking for a PM, consider these criteria:1) the experience and credentials of the broker who supervises the company as well as the lead property manager2) the services they offer and how they line up with your needs and expectations3) the use of technology to make their job and yours easier 4) if they have a landlord-tenant attorney on retainer to help guide them on legal issues (not to mention the creation of lease agreement, landlord forms and notices, etc.)5) their process and policy for a) listing, b) application, c) tenant selection, d) routine inspections, e) maintenance services, f) property and tenancy update reports to you, g) lease enforcement policy, and f) move-out process.6) property owner reviews (caution: you can't always rely on Google reviews, because they may not reflect actual quality of the company, but still) 7) beneficial programs for both owner and tenant 8) a property management agreement that would indicate they know what they're doing and have the experience to know what matters in a PMA.

You made the choice to buy a $35k property... that's incredibly cheap in today's market.

I've been contacted by a few victims, not an easy choice, even sharing litigation costs, you have a difficult to enforce judgment.

You made a choice to go to grad school go with that choice now and leave real estate for later. 

@Jason Smith First point of feedback, there’s not a choice between Sch C or Sch E.

Are there ways to look at these choices that go beyond the tax implications?

It is their choice to go home for the summer.