Max,
For what its worth, here is my feedback:
You sound as though you have not started the Rutgers application yet. If this is the case, you have just over one month to compose a statement of purpose, revise/perfect a writing sample, procure 3 meaningful letters of recommendation and complete the application itself...and this is to say nothing of the GRE...all with finals and the thanksgiving holiday weekend looming...
So if I am correct that you are contemplating whether to just now the start application process to Rutgers, I would say go for the M.A. degree.
Here's why: You can probably start right away (even if not admitted to the program right away, you can probably take 2 classes in the spring and enroll for the fall term), you can build your Ph.D. resume through presenting and publishing at the M.A. level (remember you are vying for 12-15 spots with 300-400 other applicants) and you will become a much more polished applicant.
One last piece of advice, take the thesis track, not the non-thesis track- why would Rutgers want a grad student who already has proven that they are reluctant to do on a smaller scale (thesis), exactly what they will have to on a much larger scale if admitted (dissertation).
Hope this advice helps, I followed it myself...