CMU MSR Application

Hello,

I am working with a CMU RI Lab this summer and will continue the work at least until March 2027. I am planning to apply for MSR. To those who have previously applied to MSR, what advice do you have for me? I dont have any publications and wont have any at the time of application. How competitive is MSR for students who have already worked in CMU? Also, about my CMU lab, I am mostly working with postdoc and PI probably doesnt know me and my project well so I'm a little skeptical about my PI's impression of me (PI is really busy, so I didnt get any chance to have an interaction with the PI).