I think those are good points, Incitatus. If I don't go for this MAPH program I will need to choose between NYU and Union Theological Seminary. My gut is to go with Union, but NYU's program is very small, and the head of the department has taken a special interest in my application, which makes it kind of an agonizing choice. I think there is something to be said for going to an even slightly lesser-ranked school where you will get a lot of personal attention and individual help on your thesis, rather than a better-ranked one where you will be forgotten. Relating this back to MAPH, the size of the entering class does make me nervous, although I'm happy to hear about the individual proctor, etc.
Oh well, no one said grad school was easy.
- C