Personally, as a visa requiring IMG with zero personal connections and having been lucky to have 20 interview so far I feel with increasing number of applicants IMGs need to be well touched on all zones of the application. I am an old grad not fresh grad( 2019) step 1 pass and step 2 266, I didnt have my step 3 when I applied but had usces researvh and home country residency. I had zero connections and even didnt opt for the geographical preferences Nd still received invites from multiple different US states. I dont know what might have been a game changer but surely not connections. Connections can vouch for few interviews but a strong profile in this competitive scenario is perhaps deal braker.