As a non-US IMG, do a graduate degree before applying to US residency?

[Jeff509]

I am a medical student from Mexico, currently in my last year of medical school. My school year ends in January 2021 (February 2020-January 2021) so I can't participate in this years match, so I have nearly a whole year that can go to "waste"; I am thinking of using it to start a master's degree in France which would last for two years (the year I have to wait either way and one more). I am in the top one percentile of my graduating class (6th place out of 879), I have taken Step 1 (259, which I understand is not bad), and will take Step 2 this year, I have US clinical experience (both an observership and a hands on elective), and I am currently doing clinical research. I want to apply to General Surgery, preferably at an academic program.

My question is: in your opinion, would having this graduate degree (and the research and work experience that goes along with it) increase my chances of landing a general surgery residency in the United States or would it just be a waste of time, if my ultimate goal is to apply for residency?

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[GoSpursGo]

Waste. The further you get from graduation, the less likely you are to ultimately match. You stand a decent chance with your current stats and experience, but the masters won't make a difference either way.

Try to get a research position in the US, or continue doing research in your home country and try to present it at some major US conferences.