When applying to medical school, many students notice that there are two distinct paths they can follow; schools which offer MD degrees, and those which offer DO degrees. This, of course, leads to questions about the differences between these schools and programs, and which is right for them.
In this article, we’re going to investigate the difference between MD and DO programs, and explain what each can offer. We’re also going to explore how these can impact your application experience and time in medical school. We’ll conclude with a note on how to pick the right kind of program for you. Let’s get started!
Medical Doctorate (MD) Programs
These are professional degree programs, which take four years to complete, followed by residency. These programs are also referred to as allopathic medicine, and focus on diseases and ailments and how to treat their symptoms. These schools are accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).
These are the more popular of the two programs, and around 75% of medical students attend an MD program. In part this is due to the number of programs available; there are 155 MD programs in the country, while there are only 37 accredited DO programs.
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
These are professional medical degree programs, which take four years to complete, followed by residency. These programs are referred to as osteopathic (as opposed to allopathic), and take a more holistic approach to patient interactions and treatment. Do programs focus on treating the whole patient.
DO programs also require students to undergo 200 hours of osteopathic manipulative treatment training. MD students do not undergo this training. This involves learning how to move and manipulate bodies as part of medical care.
To summarize briefly, here are the main similarities between the programs:
- Take four years to complete (followed by residency).
- Grant professional degrees, and graduates are doctors.
- Require the same preparation in undergrad, and require applicants to take the MCAT.
- Both allow doctors to practice in all 50 states, write prescriptions, and practice in any specialty.
Here are the main differences:
- There are many more MD programs and graduates (155 vs 37).
- MD students must pass the United States Medical Licensing Exam, while DO students must pass the Comprehensive Medical Licensing Examination.
Differences in Applying
This is one of the main differences, so we will cover it in more detail. Both degrees require the same things of their applicants in terms of preparation; a strong background in science, evidence of volunteering, clinical experience, and research, and the MCAT. The mechanics of the applications, and your chances of success, differ however.
The two programs use different applications; MD programs use the AMCAS, while DO programs are all on AACOMAS. While these are very similar functionally, this must be navigated if you intend to apply to both programs.
You must shadow doctors who are in the specialty you are looking to enter. This can be a challenge at times for students interested in DO programs, as there are far more physicians who trained in MD programs. If you make your interest known however, you will be able to find physicians to shadow.
On top of this, you should aim to have a letter of recommendation from a DO physician (ideally one you shadowed or had clinical experience with) if you are applying to DO programs. While these are not technically required, it goes a long way to show your motivation to apply to this kind of program, and that you are familiar with what you’re signing up for.
DO programs have slightly lower acceptance rates on average than MD programs, but also have lower average MCAT scores and GPAs for accepted students. It is generally considered easier to gain acceptance to a DO program than an MD program. That’s not to say it’s easy; you still need stellar academic performance to gain acceptance.
You should modify your personal statement if you are applying to both sorts of programs. While the two applications allow statements of the same length (5,300 characters), you should show a dedication to the ideals of each system in your statement. As they have differing ideals, this can require some changed phrasing or framing for your essay. These do not need to be huge edits, as the essay will still cover the same topics, it’s just a change in perspective that’s needed.
Differences in Outcomes
This is one of the biggest questions students have; after all the point of going to medical school is to become a physician and practice medicine, and students want to be sure the program they attend will set them up to do that.
In previous years, DO students were at a disadvantage for applying to residencies, as a significant number of residencies required students pass the USMLE to qualify. After a merger of accreditation councils, the two exams are viewed as equivalent. There is no longer any disadvantage in applying for residencies as a DO student.
The 2022 Main Residency Match Rate data supports this. 92.9% of MD seniors matched with a residency program, while 91.3% of DO seniors did. This is overall match rates however; there is significantly more discrepancy for match rates in certain specialties.
- Neurological residencies saw an MD match rate of 84.2%, and a DO rate of 3.8%
- Vascular surgical residencies saw an MD match rate of 85.7%, and a DO rate of 1.2%
Some of this is due to the relative prestige of programs. Most of the country’s top rated medical schools (which see more success for competitive residencies), are MD programs. DO students are also more likely to apply to rural residencies or primary care positions, which both tend to be less competitive.
There are no inherent differences to salary for MD or DO students, butMD students tend to earn more on average because they are more likely to specialize. These specializations earn more than general practitioners, leading to this discrepancy. There are of course also regional differences in pay scale for physicians.
Is MD or DO right for you?
This is a question you will have to answer for yourself, but we will attempt to give you some strategic advice for doing so. The answer should be informed by your goals as a physician, and what you seek to accomplish within medicine.
If you want to specialize in a highly competitive field, we do recommend focusing on MD programs. While DO programs offer a similar level of preparation, it is much easier to specialize, and to get into competitive specialized residencies, via a MD program. This is not to say it’s impossible to do this with a DO, but the odds are better if you’ve matriculated at a MD program.
DO programs are increasingly popular due to their holistic nature and focus on treating the whole patient, which appeals to many students. If this is the kind of patient interaction you want, or if you are aiming to be a primary care physician, then a DO program may be the right choice for you.
If your MCAT scores and GPA are slightly lower, you may also consider a DO program. While they are still quite competitive for admissions, they do have lower averages than MD programs for admitted students.
We recommend you explore shadowing opportunities with both DO and MD trained physicians while a premed, so you can more thoroughly explore the differences between the programs. This experience is the best way to tell if one or the other is better suited for your needs and talents.
Final Thoughts
Both MD and DO programs turn out skilled physicians, and both are quite competitive for admissions. There are clear differences between the two however, and you should weigh your options carefully when deciding where to apply for medical school. You will be spending four years there, and you want to be sure that the program is right for you before making that commitment.
Applying to either kind of program isn’t easy, as medical schools are far more competitive for admissions on average than undergraduate colleges are. If you’re looking for advice or help on your med school applications, or want to discuss related topics, schedule a free consultation with us today. We have a depth of experience helping students, and are always happy to hear from you.
