When I was deciding which medical school route to take, I took a moment to consider—DO or MD? There’s obviously a difference, but I didn’t know all the details. And I definitely didn’t understand enough about the pros and cons of DO vs. an MD program to make an informed decision about my future.
If you’re here, you’re likely in the same place I was, wondering, “What’s the difference between a DO and an MD? Which one should I choose to apply to? Is one actually better than the other?” It’s a big decision. Both paths are pretty similar, but there are a few major differences that you should know about that set DO and MD programs and degrees apart.
I’m sharing the pros and cons of DO vs. MD to help you decide which one might be a better fit for you or if you should apply to both. I’ll compare the curriculum, public perception, and career opportunities, including the salary comparison between the two fields. By the end of this post, you’ll have a clearer picture of which option aligns best with your goals and aspirations.
This post is all about the pros and cons of DO vs. MD.
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Listing Pros and Cons of DO vs. MD
What’s a DO? And what’s an MD?
Let’s start with the basics of what it means to be a DO vs. an MD. I’ll begin with DO since it’s less familiar as it only describes about 11% of all physicians in the United States.
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
DOs take a patient-centered approach in all medical specialties, focusing on listening and partnering with patients to improve their health. They excel in primary care, pediatrics, OBGYN, emergency medicine, psychiatry, and surgery, holding top positions in prestigious fields like overseeing care for the President, NASA medical team, and Olympic athletes.
DOs are trained to look at the big picture, considering lifestyle and environmental factors that affect health. Their education includes specialized training in the musculoskeletal system, giving them a unique understanding of how your body’s nerves, muscles, and bones work together. They combine this knowledge with the latest medical advancements to offer comprehensive care beyond prescriptions and surgeries.
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
MDs are allopathic doctors, meaning they follow an illness-based approach and use conventional medical tools like X-rays, prescription drugs, and surgery to treat and diagnose conditions. They can work in various fields, from family medicine to specialized areas like surgery, psychiatry, or pediatrics.
The Many Similarities between DO and MD Degrees
Believe it or not, there are actually more similarities than differences! Both MDs and DOs are fully trained physicians ready to take on the world of patient care.
Coursework and Training Requirements
Both DOs and MDs need to earn a four-year bachelor’s degree and complete the same prerequisites before applying to medical school. And both types of programs require the MCAT exam.
Once in medical school, MD and DO students undergo the same rigors of study. They complete four years of schooling, with two years of pre-clinical and two years of clinical rotations in various specialties, such as internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, family medicine, surgery, psychiatry, and more.
The Ability To Become Licensed and Practice Medicine
After medical school, MDs and DOs must pass licensing exams and then move into residency programs for three to seven years before they can practice independently. As of 2020, MD and DO residency programs have merged, so both apply to the same place.
When it comes down to it, both MDs and DOs can practice any specialty in any state, and they both use an evidence-based approach to treat patients. So, really, besides the letters on their badges, you probably won’t even notice a difference between the two in a clinical setting.
DO vs. MD Programs and Degrees – What’s the difference?
Now, let’s break down where these two paths diverge. Primarily, MDs attend allopathic medical schools, while DOs participate in osteopathic medical schools. While the curricula are pretty similar, DO students have additional training in osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) for an extra 300 to 500 hours.
Traditional vs. Holistic Approach
DOs and MDs tend to have different practice styles. MDs are more conventional in their focus, while DOs emphasize considering the whole person based on their educational training in medical school on Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT). This practice was established in 1874 by an American doctor, Andrew Taylor Still, who believed body manipulation could lead to overall healing.
Some aspects of OMT are still considered effective by modern osteopathic physicians today; however, not all OMT practices are supported by scientific evidence. As we progress towards more evidence-based medicine, many osteopathic physicians are shifting away from previous theories and embrace more scientifically proven practices instead.
Licensing Exams
MD students take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), while DO students take the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX).
These exams are similar in that they each have three levels that assess your knowledge of the fundamentals, your ability to apply that knowledge, and your readiness to practice medical care. Although debatable, the consensus among medical students seems to rank the USMLE higher in difficulty than the COMLEX.
The Pros and Cons of DO Degrees
Time to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of choosing a DO program in medical school. Here, I’ll share what to expect with training, your potential salary, and other factors that may impact your decision.
Pros
- Emphasis on holistic care and preventative medicine – Osteopathic medical schools often focus on treating the whole patient, not just the symptoms, leading to more comprehensive and patient-centered care.
- Training in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) – This hands-on therapy can be a valuable tool in diagnosing and treating patients, giving DOs additional skills that can enhance their practice.
- Easier to gain acceptance into DO medical schools – As I’ll go into detail below, MD medical schools tend to set the bar higher when considering your MCAT score and GPA.
- Ideal for seeking primary care residencies
Cons
- The perception that DO degrees are less prestigious than MD degrees
- Lower average salary for DO physicians compared to MD counterparts (I share the salary comparison and factors that influence it below.)
- Higher difficulty matching to residencies offering training in a specialty – If you have your heart set on a particular specialty that tends to favor MDs, it’s worth researching how a DO degree could affect your chances in that field.
- Added pressure of required training in osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) – If you lack interest in this area or struggle with managing your study time, the extra 300 to 500 hours can become a burden.
- More than half of practicing DOs do not use their OMT training on their patients, according to a recent study, which also reported that 78% of DOs only used this knowledge on less than 5% of their patients.
The Pros and Cons of MD Degrees
Now, onto the benefits and drawbacks of going for and earning your MD degree. Although MD is often the more popular choice for premeds applying to medical school, take a moment to consider the big picture and all the factors before making your choice.
Pros
- Established, respected reputation – MD degrees have a long history and are widely recognized within the medical field, which can open doors for you in your career.
- Higher average salary – Those with MD degrees tend to earn a higher salary on average than other healthcare professionals.
- Greater acceptance in certain specialties and medical institutions – Many specialties and prestigious medical institutions often prefer doctors with MD degrees, giving you an edge in specific competitive fields.
Cons
- More competitive admission process – Getting into an MD program can be challenging, with limited spots available and a rigorous selection process.
- Longer training duration – The path to earning an MD degree typically requires more years of training and a longer time commitment before you can start practicing medicine.
- Emphasis on treating symptoms and managing diseases rather than holistic healthcare, which could be a drawback if you have an interest in integrative or alternative medicine.
Head-to-Head Comparison: DO vs. MD Schools – Which is better?
Try to look at the “which is better” question from a personal perspective rather than a general consensus. From practical considerations to following your heart, the following factors can help guide you toward the best decision for you.
Competition for Acceptance to Medical Schools
One big thing to consider is your MCAT score and your GPA. Generally, DO schools accept students with slightly lower average scores and grades than MD schools. So, if your numbers aren’t through the roof, going the osteopathic route might be the way to go. DO matriculants typically have an average GPA of around 3.60 and an MCAT score of about 505, while MD matriculants tend to have an average GPA above 3.70 and an MCAT score close to 512.
Keep in mind though that there are fewer DO programs than MD programs out there. As I write this post, there are only 37 accredited DO programs in the US compared to 158 accredited MD programs. So, while it may be a bit “easier” to get into a DO program based on numbers alone, the reality is that the sheer number of MD programs means you might have a higher chance of getting accepted into an MD program just because there are more opportunities available.
What does this mean for your school list?
With a lower GPA, I personally applied to MD as well as DO schools to maximize my chances across the board. This earned me 4 DO and 6 MD acceptances! For creating a great school list that boosts your success, I recommend to start by filtering for your personal GPA and MCAT scores as well as residency bias.
How to get started?
In my Free Premed Workshop I show you EXACTLY how you can cast a wide net and identify residency bias using the MSAR.
I’ll also show you great examples so you can more easily identify it for your own school list and make sure you get the most out of your applications.
Plus, you’ll learn the other key strategies that helped me to be successful, despite my lower stats!
Medical School Accreditation
There’s a belief that DO schools may not provide the same quality of education as MD schools.
The Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) accredits DO schools, and the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) accredits MD Schools. While some DO schools have been found non-compliant, the quality of education can vary widely between individual schools, so it’s important to research thoroughly before making a decision.
The Quality of Clinical Rotations
Generally, MD programs are perceived to have higher-quality clinical rotations and better access to competitive specialty placements than DO programs.
MD programs, usually affiliated with state universities and teaching hospitals, tend to boast a longer history and extensive funding, resulting in greater access to a variety of specialties during clinical rotations. On the other hand, DO schools, typically newer and not as closely tied to state institutions, may offer more limited options for electives.
Residency Matching
Competitive residencies will always be difficult to acquire but DO students may encounter additional hurdles.
While both fields now participate in the same match process in the US, and both MD and DO students achieve success in primary care, DO students often face greater challenges getting into a specialty due to factors like prestige and reputation.
As a premed student deciding your path, be aware that many residency programs still prefer MD applicants, especially in highly sought specialties like dermatology or plastics. However, you can broaden your residency options by excelling academically and going the extra mile by passing the USMLE.
Perception in the Medical Field
While the MD title is more widely recognized worldwide and understood, many people may not be familiar with what a DO is.
Also, a common stigma surrounding DOs (though categorically untrue) remains that they’re a step down compared to MDs. As such, MDs often proudly display their title alongside their name, especially in social media influence, whereas some DOs may opt to go by, for example, “Dr. Jane Smith” without explicitly mentioning their DO designation.
Limited awareness, compounded by a lack of transparency among DO physicians compared to MD physicians, often leads to limited opportunities for doctors with DO degrees.
MD vs. DO Salary
On average, MD physicians earn higher incomes than DO physicians mainly because they are more likely to specialize, and specialists typically have higher salaries than generalists.
It’s also worth noting that MD physicians often practice more in urban areas, where salaries are usually higher due to the higher cost of living and the concentration of specialists. At the same time, DOs tend to specialize less and work in rural areas.
Ultimately, the specialty you choose will significantly impact your earnings more than whether you have an MD or a DO title.
Which Schools Should You Apply to?
At the end, your own school list should match your personal career goals, stats, residency, location preferences, med school programs etc. – there is no one-size-fits all.
What I would recommend to everyone though? Cast a well-researched, wide net and include plenty of safety schools to boost your chances!
If you would like step-by-step guidance on how to build a rock solid school list, my online course Road to Acceptance includes a whole module on all the things you need to consider! You’ll learn about the 3 key categories your school list needs, how many schools to apply to, all the hidden factors no one ever talks about, additional research methods to ensure you won’t regret your choices later on and more.
This is just one of seven modules that guide you through the entire medical school application process so that you can take full control of your journey and maximize your chances of getting accepted!
The Final Verdict on do vs. md Schools
So, in the match-up between DO vs. MD, can one title claim victory? Not necessarily. Both DOs and MDs can provide excellent healthcare. Interestingly, despite the lack of recognition and the potential stigma, more and more students, a 25% increase, are choosing to enroll in DO programs compared to past decades.
Ultimately, it comes down to your personal preferences, career goals, and values. Remember, what matters most is finding a path that aligns with your passions and aspirations in medicine. Do you resonate more with the holistic approach of a DO? Or do you prefer the scientific rigor of an MD? Is primary care your goal, or do you want your options open to choose a specialty? The answers to these questions can point you in the right direction.
I hope this comparison helps as you navigate the decision-making process. Remember, there’s no right or wrong choice here – just the one that feels right for you. Good luck on your journey!
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