Bactrian - Thanks for offering your insight! I'm also contemplating MAPSS. I think it would help me narrow my research focus and be a good boost academically but I've read mixed reviews on the forum. The website says 900 applications were under review and 170 students were accepted. How many people were in your class?
Also, if the Chicago academic year starts in late September/October, how do you get to know a professor well enough to request they write you a LOR in time to apply? Or did you just use your original LORs?