Osteopathic medicine is a distinct but fully equivalent pathway to becoming a physician. Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) complete four years of medical school, pass licensing examinations, complete residency training, and practice medicine with the same scope as their MD counterparts: they prescribe medications, perform surgeries, order tests, admit patients, and practice in every medical specialty. The DO pathway differs from the MD pathway primarily in educational philosophy (holistic, patient-centered care with emphasis on the musculoskeletal system), the inclusion of osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) training, and the application process (AACOMAS® rather than AMCAS®). This page covers the DO educational model, the application process, residency matching, and how to determine whether osteopathic medicine is the right fit for you. For a detailed side-by-side comparison with the MD pathway, see our MD vs. DO comparison page.
The Osteopathic Educational Philosophy
Osteopathic medical education is built on four foundational tenets: the body is a unit (the person is a unit of body, mind, and spirit), the body has self-healing mechanisms (the physician’s role is to support and facilitate these mechanisms rather than only treating disease), structure and function are interrelated (musculoskeletal structure affects physiological function and vice versa), and rational treatment is based on understanding these principles. In practice, these tenets translate to a medical education that emphasizes whole-person care, prevention, the musculoskeletal system’s role in health and disease, and the hands-on diagnostic and treatment techniques of osteopathic manipulative medicine.
The core medical curriculum at DO schools covers the same fundamental organ systems, pathology, pharmacology, clinical sciences, and evidence-based medicine content as MD schools across the country. The primary addition is OMM coursework, which is typically integrated throughout all four years. OMM includes techniques such as muscle energy, high-velocity low-amplitude thrust, myofascial release, counterstrain, and craniosacral techniques. Some DOs incorporate OMT into their clinical practice; others rarely use it after medical school. The degree to which OMM is central to your practice depends on your specialty and personal clinical style.
The Application Process
DO schools use the AACOMAS® (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service) for their centralized application. AACOMAS® is similar to AMCAS® in structure: you submit transcripts, a personal statement, activity descriptions, letters of recommendation, and MCAT® scores. One important difference is that AACOMAS® recognizes grade replacement for repeated courses (if you retook a course and earned a higher grade, AACOMAS® uses only the higher grade in your GPA calculation), while AMCAS® does not. This policy makes DO programs particularly accessible for students who had early academic struggles but demonstrated improvement through retaken courses. See our GPA calculator guide for details on GPA calculations across application systems.
DO program admissions statistics are generally somewhat lower than MD programs. The median MCAT® score for DO matriculants is approximately 504 to 506, and the median GPA is approximately 3.5 to 3.6, compared to approximately 511 to 512 and 3.7 for MD matriculants. However, there is significant overlap between the two applicant pools, and many students with strong metrics choose DO programs intentionally because of genuine interest in osteopathic philosophy, specific program features, or geographic preferences. Admissions committees at DO schools value applicants who demonstrate genuine understanding of and authentic interest in osteopathic medicine and its philosophical foundations, not applicants who transparently view DO as a “backup” option after MD rejection. Shadowing a DO physician, attending an osteopathic medicine information session, or volunteering at an osteopathic clinic demonstrates the informed interest that admissions committees want to see.
Residency Matching
Since the completion of the single accreditation system in 2020, all residency programs in the United States are accredited by the ACGME, and both MD and DO graduates apply to the same programs through the NRMP Match. DO graduates match into every specialty. The overall match rate for DO seniors is approximately 91 to 93 percent. While match rates in the most competitive specialties (dermatology, plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery) are somewhat lower for DO applicants than for MD applicants, the gap has been narrowing and is partly explained by differences in average research output and institutional networking rather than by any deficiency in clinical training. DO students interested in competitive specialties should prioritize strong Step 2 CK scores, research, and away rotations at programs that welcome osteopathic applicants. See our COMLEX-USA® prep guide and USMLE® Step 2 guide.
Who Should Consider the DO Pathway
Consider applying to DO programs if you are genuinely interested in the osteopathic approach to patient care (holistic, prevention-oriented, with musculoskeletal emphasis), if your MCAT® and GPA are competitive for DO programs but below the median for your target MD programs, if you want to take advantage of AACOMAS® grade replacement policy, if a specific DO program offers curriculum, location, clinical training, or culture that appeals to you, or if you want to broaden your application strategy to maximize your chances of acceptance. Do not apply to DO programs solely as a backup without understanding or articulating interest in osteopathic principles. Admissions committees are perceptive and will recognize inauthentic applications.
For the full comparison, see our MD vs. DO comparison. For application guidance, see our AACOMAS® guide. For career context, see our physician career profile.
Choosing Between MD and DO Programs: Many applicants apply to both MD and DO programs simultaneously, which is a sound strategic decision that maximizes acceptance opportunities. If you receive acceptances from both types, your decision should be based on program-specific factors (curriculum quality, clinical rotation sites, match data in your specialty of interest, geographic location, cost, campus culture) rather than on degree type alone. A DO graduate from a strong osteopathic program with excellent clinical training has the same career prospects as an MD graduate from a comparable allopathic program. The specific degree letters printed on your white coat matter far less than the quality of your clinical training, your clinical performance, and your dedication to your patients.
OMM in Practice: A common question among prospective DO students is whether they will actually use osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) in their careers. The answer varies by specialty and individual practice. DOs in primary care, sports medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and musculoskeletal-focused specialties are most likely to incorporate OMT into their clinical practice. DOs in surgical specialties, emergency medicine, and hospital-based specialties may rarely or never use OMT after residency. Regardless of whether you use OMT regularly, the training develops palpatory skills, musculoskeletal assessment abilities, and a whole-person clinical perspective that enrich your practice in any specialty.
The Osteopathic Community: Osteopathic medicine has a strong sense of professional community. State osteopathic medical associations, the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), and DO student organizations provide networking, mentorship, and advocacy opportunities throughout your career. Many DOs describe the osteopathic community as closer-knit and more collaborative than the broader medical profession, particularly at schools with smaller class sizes. If community and collegial support are important to your educational experience, the osteopathic environment may be particularly appealing. See our professional organizations page for information on osteopathic professional associations.
References
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM). “What Is Osteopathic Medicine?” AACOM, 2025. https://www.aacom.org/. Accessed March 2026.
National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). “Charting Outcomes in the Match.” NRMP, 2025. https://www.nrmp.org/. Accessed March 2026.