PSA: keep in mind that people who matched without an RY usually did so because they were able to get a ton of pubs MS1-MS3 and did not need an RY. The avg number of research items for derm is 27. If you are nowhere near this and do not have super strong connections with derms/programs, then consider an RY.
Meet with derm faculty at your home program if you have them and bring your CV. Tell them your current # of research items and get their honest advice.
Tbh i think this number will look very different with the new changes to ERAS this year
That average is inflated by research years, and also is a self reported number on the NRMP survey. People without a research year shoot for 15ish high quality items. 3-4 good projects and a couple case reports is plenty.
15 ish pubs?? or with abstracts/presentations?