Schools CE Graduate School - Advice Needed

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A senior at a small state university is contemplating applying to Texas A&M for a Master's in Engineering, expressing concerns about their application statistics. They have a 3.4 overall GPA and a 3.6 GPA in computer science, but lack research experience and relevant work history. The applicant has previously failed two calculus courses but has since improved their grades. They are confident about performing well on the GRE, particularly in the quantitative section, and have moderate recommendations from professors with TAMU backgrounds. The applicant is unsure whether to apply for the Fall 2012 semester or to wait a year to strengthen their application with additional research and improved GPA. They seek advice on whether to submit their application now or to enhance their profile before reapplying.
EvGa
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A little background first. I'm a Senior at a small state university and will graduate in May with a BS in CS. Last Spring I finally decided that I really do want to further my education and continue on to graduate school. I'd love to attend Texas A&M for a Master of engineering in CE, but I feel like my "stats" are really poor and worried I'm just wasting my time... I know TAMU is not a top 10 or even 20 CE school so maybe that will help me...

I want to apply for the Fall 2012 semester.

-Overall GPA: 3.4
-CS GPA: 3.6
-Research: None (Some to be completed this semester and a final project next semester (too late for application process)
-Work experience: nothing related to CS/CE/Research

-Only failed classes: Calc I (as soph) and Calc II (as Junior). Retook both and made B's.
This was before I got serious with school... gpa near 2.5 at the time.

-GRE: Really good test taker and feel I can do really well, especially in the Q section.
-Epsilon Pi Upsilon
-Moderate to good LOR's from professors who earned PhD's from TAMU in the 70's and 80's

So, I'm pretty bummed about my application statistics. Nothing stands out. Should I just hope to blow them away with my letter of intent and show a strong will to do research? Or should I apply to the non-thesis degree that (supposedly) is less competitive?

Or... wait a year and apply after I have next semester research under my belt.

Thanks for any input.

EDIT: Thought I had more than one post on this forum. I guess I do more lurking than I thought.

EDIT 2: For those puzzled over failing calc I, I thought I was good enough in math to take it online without a professor. Ha!
 
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Ok, maybe if I simplify my question:


Should I apply this semester (given eval above) or wait a year so that I can further raise my GPA (maybe .1 on each), add research, and maybe some work experience.

How does applying twice work? In the event I applied this semester, was denied and tried again in a year? Sorry for the defeatist attitude, I'm just trying to be realistic with myself.
 

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