When is it too late to apply?

I've left it late, and 22 Jan is the deadline for the master's program I wanted to apply to. I don't think I can get 3 letters from faculty in that time.

I'm wondering if there would be any advantages of applying next year. My grade average will be much higher after this year...

Take some grad classes as a non degree seeking student if you wait until next year to apply.  A's in a graduate course will look good on your application, and you can apply those credits once you're officially in the program

Jan 22 seems possible, depending on how on-the-ball your recommenders are.  They submit their letters online, so it's not like you have to wait for the postal service to deliver them.

>>2
non degree seeking student

How does that work?

>>4
At my school you can apply to take graduate courses even if you're not getting a degree, and it's much easier to get in for that than getting in the actual program (I got accepted like 24 hours after applying online).  I did that for a year before I applied to grad school and I took 12 units, which all went towards my M.S. once I got accepted.  Only problem is you won't get financial aid as a non-degree seeking student so you'll probably have to pay out of pocket.

Apply directly to the forehead!