DO Schools Explained: Acceptance Rates, MCAT, and How They Differ from MD

What a DO actually is

A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine is a physician. DOs hold full medical licenses, prescribe medication, practice in every specialty, and complete the same residencies as MDs. The osteopathic philosophy adds a focus on the musculoskeletal system and a hands-on technique called osteopathic manipulative medicine, alongside the standard medical curriculum. Functionally, a patient seeing a DO is seeing a doctor with the same authority as one holding an MD.

How DO admissions math differs

The clearest practical difference is statistical. DO matriculants tend to have median MCAT scores and GPAs a few points and tenths below their MD counterparts. AdmitBase weights medical admissions as roughly 50% MCAT and 50% GPA for both pathways, so if your numbers land just under MD medians, DO programs often move from "reach" to "target." That is why DO schools belong on the list of any applicant whose stats are competitive but not elite.

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The residency merger changed the calculus

Until 2020, DO and MD graduates matched through separate residency systems. The single-accreditation merger consolidated everything under the ACGME, so DO and MD graduates now compete in the same match. This raised the ceiling for DO graduates while also putting them in direct competition with MD applicants for the most sought-after specialties. Match data still shows MD applicants matching at higher rates into the most competitive fields, so a DO student targeting those should plan accordingly with strong board performance.

Career outcomes

DOs practice across the full range of medicine, though the profession historically skews toward primary care, family medicine, and underserved-community work. For students drawn to those fields — or who simply want the most direct realistic route to becoming a physician — the DO path is not a consolation prize; it is a parallel one. Compare it directly against allopathic programs like Harvard Medical School and the rest of your list using the same numbers-based lens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a DO the same as an MD?

In terms of licensure and scope of practice, yes. DOs and MDs are both fully licensed physicians in all 50 states, can prescribe medication, specialize in any field, and complete the same ACGME residencies. The main differences are that DO training includes osteopathic manipulative medicine and that the two degrees use partly different admissions tests and applications.

Are DO schools easier to get into than MD schools?

On the numbers, DO programs typically admit students with somewhat lower median MCAT scores and GPAs than MD programs, so they can be more accessible for applicants near the MD threshold. That does not make them easy — DO admissions are still competitive, and the gap has narrowed in recent years as osteopathic medicine has grown in popularity.

Can DOs become surgeons or specialists?

Yes. DOs match into surgical and specialty residencies, including competitive fields. That said, average match rates into the most competitive specialties (such as dermatology, plastic surgery, and neurosurgery) still favor MD applicants, so a DO aiming for those fields should plan for strong board scores and research.

Do DO applicants take the MCAT?

Yes. DO programs use the same MCAT as MD programs. Applications generally go through AACOMAS (for DO) rather than AMCAS (for MD), and some applicants apply to both systems to maximize their options.

Should I apply to both MD and DO schools?

For many applicants, yes. If your MCAT and GPA are near or just below MD matriculant medians, a balanced list spanning both degrees materially increases your probability of an acceptance somewhere. Applicants with numbers well above MD medians may reasonably focus on MD programs.