try to find some guys who has relationship with US School which u applied to , it would give u big plus if u could find it. Reference letter is the most important. Let me tell u sth,2 of my colleges who are admitted this year both have strong references who have some kinds of relationship with my school. They both don't have U.S Master degree. one is chinese master, the other is undergraduate. their big plus is the references letter which as I mentioned is the most important.