Exactly! That's what my son did and found out exactly what he needed to do to gain admittance. That professor has become his mentor and arranged this year for him to present his paper at six different conferences including one at Yale this past fall. A faculty advisor when you ask for help can become your best friend.
I spent 20 years in academia. There is also competition in the faculty. Advisors who get students promoted get brownie points towards their own promotions........