MD vs DO: What’s the Difference and Which Should You Choose?

If you want to become a physician in the United States, you will probably encounter two medical degrees: MD and DO.

An MD is a Doctor of Medicine. A DO is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.

Both are physicians. Both can diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, perform surgery, enter residency programs, and practice independently after meeting licensing requirements.

The main differences are in medical school training, application systems, licensing examinations, and the additional osteopathic training DO students receive.

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MD vs DO at a Glance

Both pathways lead to becoming a licensed physician in the United States.

What Is an MD?

MD stands for Doctor of Medicine.

MD programs provide education in areas such as:

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Pharmacology
• Pathology
• Clinical medicine
• Diagnosis
• Patient care
• Medical ethics

Students then complete clinical clerkships in specialties such as internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology, and family medicine.

Most U.S. MD applicants apply through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS).

What Is a DO?

DO stands for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.

DO students study essentially the same core medical sciences and clinical disciplines as MD students.

The additional distinction is training in osteopathic principles and practice, including Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine or OMM.

The American Osteopathic Association describes osteopathic medicine as emphasizing a whole-person approach to care while recognizing the relationship between the body's structure and function.

DO students learn hands-on techniques that may be used to assess and treat certain musculoskeletal problems.

Not every DO physician uses OMM regularly after training.

Can MDs and DOs Do the Same Jobs?

Yes. Both MD and DO physicians can:

• Practice primary care
• Become surgeons
• Practice emergency medicine
• Enter pediatrics
• Become psychiatrists
• Practice anesthesiology
• Enter radiology
• Pursue medical subspecialties
• Conduct research
• Teach medicine
• Lead healthcare organizations

Your degree does not automatically determine your specialty.

Residency selection depends on many other factors, including specialty competitiveness, examination performance, clinical evaluations, research, recommendations, interviews, and the programs to which you apply.

MD vs DO Admissions Statistics

MD programs tend to have higher national entering-class GPA and MCAT averages than DO programs.

Recent national data show approximately:

The MD figures come from recent

AAMC applicant and matriculant data, while the DO figures are reported by AACOM.

These are national averages, not admission cutoffs.

Some DO programs have entering-class metrics above these averages, while individual MD programs vary considerably as well.

Is DO School Easier to Get Into?

DO programs generally have lower average GPA and MCAT figures nationally, but that does not mean admission is easy.

Applicants are still expected to demonstrate:

• Strong academic preparation
• Clinical exposure
• Service
• Communication skills
• Understanding of medicine
• Professionalism
• Motivation for becoming a physician

DO schools may also look closely at whether an applicant understands osteopathic medicine and why a DO education fits their goals.

Students still exploring healthcare before applying can consider Go-Elective's Pre-Health and Pre-Med Internships for supervised exposure to clinical environments.

AMCAS vs AACOMAS

Another major difference is how you apply.

• MD applicants generally use AMCAS.
• DO applicants generally use AACOMAS.

Applicants may apply through both systems during the same admissions cycle.

Some Texas schools are an exception because participating MD and DO programs use TMDSAS instead.

Both AMCAS and AACOMAS collect information about your:

• Academic history
• Coursework
• Experiences
• Personal statement
• Recommendation letters
• MCAT
• Medical school choices

However, their exact application sections, activity categories, fee structures, and timelines differ.

MD vs DO Medical School Training

The overall medical education path is very similar.

Students typically complete foundational medical sciences followed by increasingly intensive clinical training.

Both MD and DO students study subjects such as:

• Anatomy
• Biochemistry
• Physiology
• Pathology
• Pharmacology
• Microbiology
• Clinical medicine

Both then participate in supervised clinical rotations.

DO students complete additional training in osteopathic principles and manipulative medicine.

That additional osteopathic curriculum is the clearest educational distinction between the two degrees.

What Is OMM?

OMM stands for Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. It involves hands-on techniques used by osteopathic physicians to evaluate and, when appropriate, treat aspects of musculoskeletal function.

Training can include techniques involving:

• Muscles
• Joints
• Soft tissues
• Movement
• Structural relationships

OMM is part of the DO curriculum and appears within COMLEX-USA examinations.

However, osteopathic medicine should not be reduced simply to OMM. DO students complete the full medical education required to become physicians.

USMLE vs COMLEX-USA

MD and DO students also follow different primary licensing examination pathways.

MD students generally take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE):

• Step 1
• Step 2 CK
• Step 3

DO students take the COMLEX-USA series:

• Level 1
• Level 2-CE
• Level 3

The National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners administers COMLEX-USA.

Some DO students also choose to take USMLE examinations, particularly when applying to certain residency programs, although COMLEX-USA remains the osteopathic licensure examination pathway.

Do MDs and DOs Apply to the Same Residencies?

Yes. This is an important change from the historical system.

U.S. graduate medical education now operates under a single accreditation system administered by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

MD and DO graduates therefore apply to the same ACGME-accredited residency system.

The transition to the single accreditation system was completed in 2020. Learn more from the ACGME.

Can a DO Become a Surgeon?

Yes.A DO graduate can pursue:

• General surgery
• Orthopedic surgery
• Neurosurgery
• Plastic surgery
• Vascular surgery
• Other surgical specialties

Being a DO does not legally restrict you from becoming a surgeon.

However, some specialties are considerably more competitive than others for all applicants, and Match outcomes can differ between MD and DO seniors depending on the specialty.

If you already know you are interested in a highly competitive specialty, review recent NRMP Match data for both MD and DO applicants before deciding where to apply.

Are DOs Mostly Primary Care Doctors?

Osteopathic medicine has historically had a strong connection with primary care.

Many DO physicians continue to practice in areas such as:

• Family medicine
• Internal medicine
• Pediatrics

However, DO graduates also enter surgical and non-primary-care specialties.

You should therefore think of primary care as a strong tradition within osteopathic medicine, not a limitation placed on DO graduates.

Is an MD More Prestigious Than a DO?

For becoming a physician in the United States, both are recognized medical degrees.

Some patients may be more familiar with the MD abbreviation because there are more MD physicians, but familiarity is different from professional qualification.

When comparing schools, applicants should focus more on:

• Accreditation
• Residency outcomes
• Clinical training
• Cost
• Location
• Curriculum
• Student support
• Research opportunities
• Specialty opportunities

Those factors may affect your education considerably more than the letters after your future name.

Do MDs Earn More Than DOs?

There is no standard salary attached to an MD or DO degree.

Physician compensation is influenced much more by:

• Specialty
• Location
• Practice setting
• Experience
• Work schedule
• Employer
• Procedure volume

For example, a DO orthopedic surgeon may earn substantially more than an MD pediatrician.

The degree itself does not determine your salary.

Which Is Better: MD or DO?

Neither degree is universally better.

An MD program may be a better fit if a particular school's curriculum, research environment, location, specialty opportunities, or mission aligns with your goals.

A DO program may be a better fit if you are particularly interested in osteopathic medicine, whole-person care, OMM, primary care, or simply find that a particular DO school offers the environment you want.

You can also apply to both.

For many applicants, the better question is not, should I become an MD or DO? It is, which medical schools provide the education, opportunities, cost, and environment that fit my goals?

Should You Apply to Both MD and DO Schools?

For some applicants, yes.

Applying to both can broaden your medical school options, particularly if your academic profile overlaps with the ranges of both MD and DO programs.

But do not apply to DO schools merely as a backup without understanding osteopathic medicine.

Your application and interviews may ask why you are interested in becoming a DO physician.

You should have a genuine answer.

Final Thoughts

MDs and DOs are both physicians.

They attend medical school, complete clinical training, enter residency, obtain medical licenses, prescribe medications, perform procedures, and can practice across medical specialties.

The main differences are:

• MD: Traditional MD medical education and the USMLE pathway.
• DO: Medical education plus additional osteopathic training and the COMLEX-USA pathway.

For applicants, the most meaningful decision usually comes down to the individual medical school, not simply MD versus DO.

Compare the curriculum, cost, clinical training, Match outcomes, location, mission, and opportunities at each program before deciding where to apply.

FAQs About MD vs DO

#1. Is a DO a real doctor?

Yes. A DO is a licensed physician who has completed medical school and postgraduate training requirements. DO physicians can diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, perform procedures, and practice throughout the United States.

#2. Can a DO become a surgeon?

Yes. DO graduates can enter surgical residency programs and become surgeons. Their competitiveness depends on the specialty and their individual residency application.

#3. Is MD school harder to get into than DO school?

Nationally, MD matriculants currently have higher average GPA and MCAT scores than entering DO students. However, individual school competitiveness varies significantly, and both MD and DO admissions remain selective.

#4. Do DO students take the USMLE?

DO students are required to follow the COMLEX-USA pathway for osteopathic licensure. Some also choose to take USMLE examinations for residency application purposes.

#5. Do MD and DO students enter the same residency programs?

Yes. MD and DO graduates now train within the same ACGME-accredited graduate medical education system.

#6. Do MDs make more money than DOs?

Not simply because of their degree. Physician income depends primarily on specialty, practice setting, location, experience, and other employment factors.

#7. Should I apply to MD and DO schools?

You can apply to both. The right strategy depends on your academic profile, career goals, understanding of osteopathic medicine, finances, and the schools that genuinely fit your interests.

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Pre-health,

Author: Laimi Ngela

Date Published: Sep 4, 2026