I can't speak to the strength of the program, but I work in higher ed and I just want to warn against letting the personal call from the program sway your decision. This likely means that the program is not meeting its admissions numbers and they are thirsty for tuition money. Again, not a statement about the strength of the program - just an overall observation of where higher education is these days, especially with art schools. Additionally, I think it might be against admissions guidelines to pursue you if you have already deposited with another school. If you haven't disclosed that you deferred from NYU, then they are not doing anything wrong, but as soon as you let them know that information, they are obligated to stop pursuing you.