Mine is a 2012 model with factory fitted 4gb of RAM, it works perfectly well running Logic Pro X.
I did have a new SSD hard drive fitted after an accident at a gig in April which definitely speeded it up, that cost £200 at my local Mac repair shop, that included a service too.
Apple give fantastic student discount, so just buy secondhand for now, she can always buy new if she needs to when she starts uni. I think I got 40% off my MacBook when I got it.