Last Updated on September 30, 2026
Quick answer: In the DO vs MD comparison, both degrees lead to full licensure as a physician in the US. DO programs add training in osteopathic manipulative treatment and use the AACOMAS application instead of AMCAS. Since 2020, MD and DO graduates enter the same ACGME-accredited residencies through the NRMP Match, and DO students must pass COMLEX-USA.
DO vs MD School: Key Differences to Keep in Mind
You probably know that the medical school admissions process is not easy by any means. Osteopathic students now make up more than 25 percent of all U.S. medical students, so the DO path deserves a close look. [1] To stay on the safer side, consider a few DO or Doctors of Osteopathic medical schools. It’s understandable if you have your heart set on an MD, but it’s definitely helpful to understand the DO vs MD schools comparison to keep your options open.
DO schools train students in a whole-person approach to patient care, with extra training in the neuromusculoskeletal system and osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). If you’re worried that taking the osteopathic route could limit a future in surgery, fear not. Although most DO students go into primary care programs, they also have access to the National Resident Matching Program and can go into any specialty of choice if accepted. To assist your debate between the two kinds of medical education, I’ve outlined the similarities between DO and MD programs and taken a closer look at each of the differences to help you decide between DO vs MD schools.
DO vs MD: The Similarities
Before we dive into DO vs MD school distinctions, it’s important to note that the timeline of your path into medicine looks the same regardless of the type of medical school you attend. For both programs, you need to take the essential pre-med courses throughout your four years of college (one year of biology with lab, one year of general chemistry with lab, one year of organic chemistry with lab, one year of physics with lab, and one semester of biochemistry), obtain your Bachelor’s degree, and take the MCAT. Once you’re admitted to either type of medical school, you complete four more years there, followed by three to seven years of residency, depending on what you choose as your specialty.
Both MD and DO physicians are licensed by the same state medical boards and adhere to the same rules for healthcare. Whether you attend an MD school or a DO school, you can practice and prescribe medicine across the country and, despite popular belief, may pursue any specialty – including surgery.
Differences Between DO vs MD School
Aside from the most obvious difference – osteopathic (DO) medicine focuses more on treating the body as a whole while allopathic (MD) medicine emphasizes treatment based on diagnosing individual symptoms – there are some other differences as well in terms of program availability, application logistics, and career options, as outlined in the table below:
| Criteria | MD Schools | DO Schools |
|---|---|---|
| Number of schools available | Close to 200 LCME-accredited programs | About 75 campuses and teaching locations |
| Average GPA and MCAT of admitted students across all programs | Higher on average | Somewhat lower on average |
| Average acceptance rate | Varies widely by school | Varies widely by school |
| Application requirements | AMCAS application, transcript, MCAT score, personal statement highlighting why you want to become a doctor, school-specific requirements, letters of recommendation | AACOMAS application, transcript, MCAT score, personal statement highlighting why you want to become a doctor, school-specific requirements, letters of recommendation |
| Dual degree options | Many schools offer MD/PhDs or MD/MPH (Master of Public Health) | Only a select few schools offer DO/PhD (see below) |
| Residency options | Apply to ACGME-accredited residencies through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) | Apply to the same ACGME-accredited residencies through the NRMP |
| Residency duration | 3-7 years, depending on specialty | 3-7 years, depending on specialty |
| Exam to obtain medical license | United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) | Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the United States (COMLEX-USA); DO students may also take the USMLE |
Let’s take a closer look at each of the categories:
Number of Schools Available
When looking at the table, you immediately notice the large difference in the number of schools that offer MD programs compared to DO programs. According to the AAMC, total MD applicants dipped slightly in 2024-25 while first-year enrollment rose. [2] Osteopathic education keeps expanding, with about 75 DO campuses and teaching locations listed by AACOM across 43 states. As interest in medical education grows, the number of applicants to osteopathic schools continues to rise, supported by the expansion of new DO programs nationwide.
Average Acceptance Rate, GPA, and MCAT of Admitted Students
One of the main reasons behind interest in DO programs – besides interest in osteopathic medicine – becomes obvious when you look at the differences in the scores of admitted students. MD programs tend to admit students with higher average GPAs and MCAT scores, and those numbers are not easy to reach.
So to ensure that they are admitted to any medical school at all, students with lower numbers often turn to DO schools. As you might have guessed from the table, you should remain aware of the fact that even though the numbers for enrolled students are lower, admission to DO schools is still competitive not only due to the limited number of schools which offer osteopathic programs, but also because the demand for any medical program is extremely high!
Application Requirements
The application requirements for DO vs MD schools are similar. [3] Definitely note that MD schools use the AMCAS application system, while DO schools use AACOMAS. You also shouldn’t copy and paste the same personal statement, and you should check each service’s current character limits before you write. You shouldn’t be writing the same essay in the first place because your specific interest in osteopathic medicine must be conveyed in the AACOMAS. Similarly in school-specific essays for DO programs, you need to emphasize genuine interest in osteopathic medicine, and what the particular school offers.
The experiences sections of the two services also differ in format and length limits, so tailor your descriptions to each one. When you build your application profile, remember that if you’re applying to a DO school the activities you pursue should have a correlation to osteopathic medicine, such as shadowing an osteopathic physician to gain clinical and patient exposure. You don’t want admissions committees to think you see DO schools as a fallback option.
Dual Degree Options
If you’re interested in pursuing an MD/PhD, that’s definitely something to consider when choosing between DO vs MD schools. Most top MD programs offer the option to receive a dual degree, but DO/PhD programs are available at far fewer osteopathic schools. Schools that have offered DO/PhD programs include:
-
- Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
- University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth/Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
- New York Institute of Osteopathic Medicine
In making your decision between DO vs MD schools, remember that your selection is rather limited if one of your biggest priorities lies in getting a dual degree.
Residency Options
Choosing a DO program does not limit your residency options. Since the move to a single graduate medical education accreditation system was completed in 2020, MD and DO graduates apply to the same residency programs through the same Match. DO graduates continue to secure spots across a wide range of specialties, including general surgery, anesthesiology, and orthopedic surgery, although MD applicants still match at higher rates in the most competitive fields. Primary care remains the most common path for DO students, with many graduates entering internal medicine, family medicine, and pediatrics. Overall, both degrees provide access to the same Match process, and your performance matters far more than the letters after your name.
Residency Duration
Residency length depends on the specialty, not on the type of medical degree you hold. Family medicine, which again is one of the most common residencies for DO graduates, takes three years to complete, while many other specialties take longer. Surgical specialties generally require the longest training, whether you hold an MD or a DO. For a full breakdown, see how long it takes to become a doctor.
Exam to Obtain Medical License
The license exam for students attending DO vs MD schools differs. MD students take the USMLE, while DO students take the COMLEX. Until December 2018, the USMLE was valued more than the COMLEX. Now, the American Medical Association recognizes and promotes the two exams on an equal basis, and encourages residency programs to do the same. [4] If you attend a DO school, you must pass COMLEX-USA to graduate and to enter and progress through residency. [5] DO students are also eligible to take the USMLE, and some choose to take both. [6]
As you narrow down your search for the right medical school for you, weigh the pros and cons of attending DO vs MD schools. The decision you make depends on your numbers, your academic interests, and career goals. Don’t just apply to DO schools because you think it might be easier to get admitted. If you work on building your application through meaningful ways, demonstrate a genuine interest, and continue working hard throughout either med school program, no medical specialty will be out of your reach.
DO vs MD: Which Path Is Right for You?
The right choice comes down to fit. If the whole-person philosophy of osteopathic medicine and hands-on OMT training appeal to you, a DO program deserves a real place on your list. If you want an MD/PhD or a school with a specific research focus, you may find more options among MD programs. Either way, both paths now lead to residency programs held to the same ACGME standards. [7]
Many applicants apply to both types of schools. If you do, research each DO program as carefully as your MD schools, shadow a DO physician, and prepare for school-specific questions about osteopathic medicine. Our articles on osteopathic medical schools and osteopathic medical school interview questions can help, along with our step-by-step walkthrough of the AMCAS application.
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