Not sure how much help I will be but will pass along what little I know...
I am on a type of work visa (in Russia) and things might be different because mine is a not a tourist visa. Anyway, I have never been able to get anything more than a 90-day visa the first time applying for a visa. They have always given me a 90-day to start with and only after being in country with that will they give me a multi-entry visa.
Once you get your citizenship and your US passport I would use that to get your visa. I've seen customs agents give a lot more grief to people with other passports.