In an emergency, or in day-to-day life, the letters after your last name don’t make a huge difference. So, if your goal is to become a doctor, you’re in luck! There are several ways to get there. In this article, I’ll explore some of the differences between DO vs MD—that is, a Doctor of Medicine versus a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.
At the end of the day, a doctor is a doctor, but variations in medical school curriculum, research focus, and approach to care are important to know when you’re considering what medical schools to apply to.
DO vs MD: The Main Similarities
MDs and Dos are both fully licensed physicians. This means they can:
- Diagnose and treat illness
- Prescribe medication
- Perform surgery
- Practice in all 50 states and internationally
- Work in all medical specialties (from primary care to surgery to psychiatry)
They both need to go through medical school, pass board exams, and apply for and complete residencies. In most cases, they both need to take the MCAT as premeds—unless they get accepted into medical programs that don’t require the MCAT. In other words: MDs and DOs are both real doctors. However, they take slightly different educational paths and sometimes approach medicine with different philosophies.
DO vs MD: Philosophy Differences
The major difference between MD vs DO is their philosophies regarding medicine. Overall, MD schools emphasize an allopathic view of medicine, which means medicine is driven by the newest research-based trials and data-driven care. DOs, on the other hand, take a more holistic approach to medicine. DO curricula strongly emphasize the partnership between patient and physician, and the use of the body’s intrinsic ability to heal. All parts of a patient, including the mind, body, and emotions, are considered during treatment.
DO vs MD: Medical School Education and Curriculum
Pre-med students pursuing either an MD or DO program follow a similar medical school application process. For DO programs, candidates apply through the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS). For MD programs, applications are submitted via the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). The applications will still ask for similar components: MCAT score, GPA, letters of recommendation, clinical experience, etc.
One thing to note is DO schools are more likely to accept students from non-traditional backgrounds, such as individuals making a career change and are generally older.
The MD and DO core curricula are very similar, consisting of both preclinical and basic science courses followed by a period of clinical rotations. The major difference between DO vs MD is that DO students spend an additional 200 hours learning musculoskeletal manipulation (known as OMT – Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment), where students practice physical manipulation of the body or tissue as treatment.
Licensing Exams
The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE®) is a three-step exam required for medical licensure in the U.S. The USMLE—Step 1, 2, and 3—is required for MD students. Similarly, the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA) serves as the licensing exam for DO medical students. While osteopathic students can take the COMLEX-USA instead of the USMLE, many choose to complete both exams to broaden their opportunities.
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DO vs MD: Residency Match
Historically, MDs and DOs applied to different residency programs. But since 2020, all residency programs in the U.S. have moved under a single accreditation system. Thus, both MD and DO students apply through the same Match system. Both are eligible for any specialty, including competitive ones like dermatology, orthopedic surgery, and radiology.
In 2025, 93.5% of U.S. MD seniors matched vs 92.6% of U.S. DO seniors. While on the surface, this difference seems insignificant, it is worth paying attention to what specialties each program matches most successfully into. More DO students tend to go into primary care and practice as family physicians, internists, and pediatricians. MD students are more likely to specialize and have a significantly higher match rate when one considers competitive specialties like neurosurgery and vascular surgery, where MD students match into these programs at a rate of 85.1% and 82.4%. Unfortunately, DO applicants match comparatively less frequently with a rate of 1.9% and 2%, respectively.
Should I Apply To MD or DO Schools?
The debate between MD vs DO physicians is largely overhyped. Both paths produce highly skilled and knowledgeable doctors, fully capable of delivering exceptional care. Regardless of their degree, these physicians are committed to providing the highest standard of healthcare.
Ultimately, prospective doctors need to consider which philosophy of medicine they prefer to practice. Are you a nerd for clinical trials and follow the latest JAMA news? Do you like the idea of being an expert in one specific field? Maybe consider an MD program.
Do you value a more holistic approach to healthcare and want to practice medicine in a way that emphasizes aspects of preventive care, nutrition, and PT? It might be worth looking into DO programs.
Many students apply to both types of programs and end up choosing the school that feels right after learning about the curriculum and speaking with faculty and students. It’s not about the letters that come after your last name. It’s about the difference you’ll make as a doctor.
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