When you apply to medical school, you may apply to both DO and MD schools. Or if you’re a patient deciding whether to see an MD or DO physician, rest assured they are both qualified doctors. Let’s talk about the differences.
DO vs. MD: A DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) and an MD (Doctor of Medicine) are both physicians who can practice medicine in the United States, but they approach treatment, education, and medical training slightly differently.
Both degree programs put medical students on the path to practice medicine and provide patient care. In this article, let’s take a closer look at the similarities and differences between DO and MD degrees, so you can make an informed decision.
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From a patient perspective, the main difference between an MD and a DO is their philosophical approach to patient care.
MDs practice allopathic medicine, the classical form of medicine focused on diagnosing and treating human diseases.
DOs follow a more holistic approach, viewing the body as an interconnected system and focusing on preventive care. They also receive additional training in osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), a hands-on treatment used to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury.
Nowadays, DOs and MDs are becoming more interchangeable as DOs use more allopathic methods, and MDs focus more on holistic care.
MDs and DOs providers are both well-educated, trained healthcare professionals. They can both prescribe medication, diagnose and treat illnesses, and perform surgery in the United States. Patients can expect to receive quality treatment regardless if the physician has an MD or DO after their name.
Applying to medical school in the United States typically involves one of two primary application services:
Please note: Medical students applying to schools in Texas may also need to use the Texas Medical & Dental Schools Application Services (TMDSAS), depending on the school.
Here are the primary differences between MD and DO applications:
There are also similar requirements between AMCAS and AACOMAS:
However, the average GPA and MCAT scores of matriculants can vary between allopathic medical schools (MD programs) and osteopathic medical schools (DO programs). Typically, MD matriculants have higher average GPA and average MCAT than DO school matriculants.
| Average GPA | Average MCAT Score | |
| For MD Matriculants | 3.77 | 511.7 |
| For DO Matriculants | 3.55 | 503 |
SOURCE: AACOM’s Applicant and Matriculant Average MCAT 2016-2024, AAMC’s MCAT Scores and GPAs for Applicants and Matriculants to U.S. Medical Schools, 2020-2021 through 2024-2025
Osteopathic schools (DO-granting) tend to accept more non-traditional students whose admissions statistics may not be as strong but whose CVs include extensive life and/or pre-med experiences.
Read Next: Applying to Med School as a Non-Traditional Applicant
Use this quick guide to compare personal statement character lengths between both applications:
| Personal Statement Character Limit | Activities Section | Most Meaningful Activities | |
| MD (AMCAS) | 5,300 characters (including spaces) | 700 characters (including spaces) | Three activities can be selected as a “most meaningful activity.” You’ll have an additional 1,325 characters for these. |
| DO (AACOMAS) | 5,300 characters (including spaces) | 600 characters (including spaces) | Not applicable |
Both allopathic and osteopathic medical students spend their first years of med school in the classroom and in the lab studying subjects like biochemistry, anatomy, and biomedical ethics.
They then spend the final two years in clinical rotations across various medical specialties such as pediatrics, family medicine, and internal medicine.
Nowadays, MDs and DOs have very similar training and medical education.
One main difference in the training DOs receive is the special focus on the musculoskeletal system. In DO programs, over 200 hours of instruction in osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) or osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) have to be completed. See more below.
To become medical doctors, students of both degree programs will be assessed on their medical knowledge, principles learned, and ability to provide effective patient care — but with two different licensing exams.
The licensure for MD and DO graduates differ.
Note: Some osteopathic medical students elect to take both the COMLEX and the USMLE exams as a way to enhance the competitiveness of their residency applications. However, only COMLEX is required to become a fully licensed DO physician.
Read Next: How to Effectively Study for USMLE Step 1
Residency is a 3- to 7-year-long postgraduate training program after earning a DO or MD degree. Residents have the opportunity to hone their skills in a particular specialty. MDs and DOs used to apply to different residencies, but now they compete for the same residency spots via NRMP.
Both MD and DO graduates apply for residency programs through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), often referred to as “The Match.”
Both DOs and MDs can practice in any specialty, but due to the holistic nature of osteopathic medicine, osteopathic doctors are more often seen in primary care specialties.
According to the AAMC’s most recent Physician Specialty Data Report, 36% of MDs practice in primary care fields (including family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics). The AOA reports 57% of DOs practice in primary care.
Background: In 2020, the AOA and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) completed a 5-year transition to a single accreditation system for all U.S. residency programs. Before this, DO graduates had the opportunity to match for residency spots via NMRP or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Match.
This merger allows DO graduates to compete for the same residency spots as MD graduates, having one residency match, and further aligning the training paths of MDs and DOs.
We can help you match with the residency of your choice with comprehensive coaching.
U.S. medical schools that grant DOs have similar curricula to traditional MD programs, plus an additional 200 hours of training in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM).
What is OMM? OMM is when osteopathic physicians use their hands to diagnose and treat injuries and illnesses, using techniques such as joint mobilization, stretching, and massage. OMM is covered extensively on the COMLEX licensing exam.
OMM, also called Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), is a hands-on technique for diagnosing and treating a range of musculoskeletal conditions, from minor headaches to severe back pain. It may be used in conjunction with or in place of medication.
Note: OMM/OMT may be similar to chiropractic adjustments in some ways, but they aren’t the same thing.
According to Dr. Tyson DeLengocky, DO:
“OMM incorporates aspects of traditional manual therapy, soft-tissue massage therapy, and other body-based modalities to relieve pain from strained muscles, tendons, and joints and improve motion and function of blood circulation, lymphatic and respiratory systems.”
This unique approach equips osteopathic physicians with a more whole-body understanding of how an injury or illness in one part of the body can affect the rest. However, not every DO actually uses OMM in their practice.
Below, I discuss the pros and cons of MD vs. DO, including a few very nuanced details:
| Pros | Cons | |
| MD |
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| DO |
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Whether you choose to become an MD or a DO, the path will always involve a dedication to serving patients’ healthcare needs. Both allopathic and osteopathic physicians share the common goal of promoting health and healing, albeit through slightly different approaches.
Ultimately, the choice between an MD and a DO depends on your personal philosophy, your career goals, and the type of doctor you aspire to become.
Our enrollment team can help you prepare your application for your ideal MD and DO med schools.
We’ve given you a lot to think about when it comes to making a decision about medical degrees while applying to medical school. But we are offering you even more help. Check out our free Med School Explorer tool, or talk to us if you’re interested in one-on-one application consulting.
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