Considering applying to Houston

Im really considering applying to Houston and had a couple questions.

1.Have I hurt my chances for waiting this long to apply? 2. I currently don't meet the automatic requirements so would it be best if I best if I wrote an essay? 3. To anyone recently admitted do you have tips or recommend me doing anything to help my chances, even just a little?

If anyone was wondering I have email the admissions some questions its just been about a week and still no reply so I decided it was worth a shot asking here. Also, I am out of state Senior if that would make a difference to any answers . Thanks for any help any of you can give.