meetra,

I would suggest you to use it as a last resort. Ya, the USCIS rules have been really strict regarding the H1B petitions especially from these so called consulting/contract agencies. Before they could file the petition even you didnot have a project , now they have to have a proof of employment from the end client and the other agencies involved in the contract to hire process. If its an inhouse project too, then they have to show every details of that as well, so its not that easy to mislead the USCIS now, and they cant play that card anymore. But if you really can get a project, then you might be lucky to get H1b this year, as there are not much applications filed and the quotas are still open.  But before you join any of them, negotiate with them properly, and do a little bit of research on the company, about the reputation with the USCIS, some of them have a bad reputation coz of the tax fraud and similar other complaints before, and your application might be rejected coz of that.

so think about it and also have a back up plan (may be some colleges) if something goes wrong.

good luck !!