Medical School Blog
MD vs. DO: What’s the Difference?
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Both MD (Doctor of Medicine) and DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) degrees lead to full licensure as physicians in the U.S. But how do they compare?
In this blog, we will discuss all things MD vs DO, including the philosophies behind each degree, how they compare on standardized examinations, and their success (or lack thereof) when it comes to matching into competitive specialties. While choosing between the two degrees may feel like one of the biggest decisions of your life, the reality is that both paths will lead to the same destination – but let’s explore some of the distinctions that make each degree unique.
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Table of Contents
What is the difference between MD and DO degrees, really?
- Basic definitions
– MD = Doctor of Medicine (allopathic).
– DO = Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (osteopathic). - Philosophy and training distinctions (historical/tonic)
– DO training includes additional instruction in osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), which are hands-on techniques exclusively taught at Osteopathic Medical Schools. Students spend around 200 additional hours learning and perfecting these treatments to better treat the whole person – body, mind, and spirit.
– MD programs tend to emphasize conventional biomedical approaches (though in practice, MDs also incorporate holistic, patient-centered care). - In practice? Very similar
– Both can pursue any specialty, complete residency, become board certified, and practice independently.
– DOs often take the USMLE (in addition to COMLEX) for broader residency access.
– It’s increasingly rare that a patient seeks out an MD or DO specifically. Instead, most patients desire a competent physician who listens to their concerns.
What are the “typical stats” (GPA, MCAT) for DO vs MD matriculants?
With the caveat: these are averages, not strict cutoffs. Schools vary widely.
- MD matriculants
– Average GPA: ~3.7
– Average MCAT: ~512 - DO matriculants
– Average GPA: ~3.5
– Average MCAT: ~504 - Comparative applicant pools
– While the DO pool seems to have a lower average MCAT score for successful matriculants, it is crucial to recognize that DO schools are often looking for a different type of applicant. Often, DO students are non-traditional, which means they could be experiencing a career change, are older than the average medical student, come from various undergraduate backgrounds, or even have unique life experiences that made the journey to medical school less linear.
So: yes, the average numbers for MD matriculants are higher, but that doesn’t mean DO is “easy”; DO admissions remain competitive, and most DO students are quite strong academically.
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What was the MD/DO residency “merger,” and how has it changed things?
Before 2020: Separate systems, AOA (for DOs) and ACGME (for MDs).
Now: A single, unified system (ACGME). MDs and DOs apply to the same programs via the same match (NRMP).
Impact:
- DOs now directly compete for the same spots as MDs. The application, interviews, and rank list are all combined now. Meaning DOs and MDs are compared side by side.
- Some historical bias remains in competitive specialties (e.g. ortho, plastics, uro, derm), but overall access has improved.
What are the pass rates for Step 1 and Step 2 (or equivalent) for MD and DO students?
Because of differences in licensing exams (e.g. DO students often take COMLEX as well as/or instead of USMLE), comparing is imperfect. But performance data from USMLE sheds light.
- Step 1 (USMLE) pass rates
– For examinees from MD programs (US/Canada): about 90% pass rate (all first + repeat takers) in recent cycles.
– For first-time MD takers: ~92% pass rate (2023).
– For DO examinees (US/Canada): ~86% pass rate (all takers) in recent cycles; first-time DO takers ~87% in 2023.
– Historically, before the shift to pass/fail scoring in 2022, pass rates were a bit higher (e.g. mid-90s%) for both groups.
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- Step 2 CK (USMLE) pass rates
– For MD examinees: ~98% pass rate (2022–2023).
– For DO examinees: ~96% pass rate (2023–2024).
– Among first-time DO takers: ~96%.
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The gap is shrinking. Many DO students who want to compete strongly take both USMLE and COMLEX to ensure they meet expectations of residency programs. To emphasize this further, most DO students will sit for 4 total board exams prior to applying to residency: USMLE STEP 1, USMLE STEP 2, COMLEX LEVEL 1, COMLEX LEVEL 2. This requires DOs to pay for double exams and spend double the amount of time as MD students, which is all to show programs that they are equally or even more competitive than their MD counterparts.
Watch our video “STEP 1 in 2 months” includes top resources, UWorld, and a full 2-month study plan.
What about average Step 2 CK scores (for matched applicants)?
Step 2 CK is increasingly used (especially after Step 1 became pass/fail) as a screening metric.
- For MD‐granting school graduates (matched applicants), the average Step 2 is about 250 in many specialties.
- For DO‐granting school graduates, the average tends to be slightly lower — e.g. ~244 in aggregate (per AMA).
- But this varies heavily by specialty. For instance, in competitive specialties, the average Step 2 CK among matched DOs may approach the MD levels.
- For example, matched DOs in fields like anesthesiology may average ~251, orthopedics ~251 (vs MD ~257).
DOs are scoring competitively – especially when aiming high.
We have a detailed blog about the best USMLE exam scores for each specialty — check it out here.
What is the residency match rate for MD and DO graduates (PGY1 match)?
This is a key area of convergence.
- In the 2025 Main Residency Match:
– DO seniors achieved a 92.6% PGY1 match rate (an all-time high).
– MD seniors matched at 93.5%.
– These rates are very close — a gap of under 1% in recent years.
So: post-merger, MD and DO match rates have become very similar, narrowing historical gaps.
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In competitive specialties, is there still a bias or disadvantage for DOs?
- In very competitive specialties (e.g. orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, neurosurgery, urology, dermatology), studies and anecdotal data suggest that DO applicants often face steeper barriers.
- For instance, one article compiled DO vs MD match rates in 2022:
– Neurosurgery: DO ~30.9% vs MD ~74.8%
– Thoracic surgery: DO ~16.7% vs MD ~46.45%
– Plastic surgery: DO ~4.17% vs MD ~68.84% - That said, DOs do match into competitive specialties, especially if they build strong applications (excellent grades, board scores, research, clinical experiences, networking) and sometimes doing away rotations at key institutions.
So yes, some bias or structural headwinds remain in niche areas, but they are not insurmountable, especially as the gap between MD/DO in metrics shrinks.
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FAQs – let’s answer the questions that other blogs may avoid.
Are there any hidden limitations being a DO vs an MD?
Nope. Nothing to hide. Fully licensed physicians who can practice in any field of medicine, just like MD colleagues. However, one thing to consider is the reality that DOs are not as recognized internationally. Meaning, there may be licensing barriers if your goal is to ultimately practice outside of the US.
Is there a discrepancy in the residency training for a DO vs an MD?
Once again, no. Both MDs and DOs match alongside each other in the NRMP, Urology, and SF Matches. No separate training programs.
Can a DO really go into a competitive field like Orthopedic Surgery or Dermatology?
OF COURSE. Each year the match rates continue to go up as more and more DOs aspire to go into these more competitive fields. It is not an easy journey for a DO interested in a competitive field, but it certainly is not impossible. For instance, according to the NRMP, orthopedic surgery match rate for MDs is roughly 93.1%, while the match rate for DOs in orthopedic surgery is roughly 68.6%.
Are MDs and DOs actually equal if they take separate exams?
Yes – each exam is formulated by a governing accredited body that ensures clinical validity and appropriate level of rigor for that of an incoming resident. DOs often elect to take USMLE Step 1 and 2, as well as their COMLEX Level 1 and 2, solely to demonstrate their knowledge to residency. MDs cannot take the COMLEX exams as they are not taught the principles of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine.
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Pros and Cons of MD vs DO:
| Pros & Cons | MD | DO |
|---|---|---|
| Pros ✅ | • Widely accepted and understood, even internationally • Statistically higher board and entrance exam scores • Higher rates of matching into competitive specialties (Orthopedics, Plastic Surgery, etc) • Only need to take USMLE board exams | • Holistic care model • OMM training (thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology) • Strong emphasis on primary care • Supportive learning environments • Second chance for some applicants (career change, academically strong but lower standardized exam scores, etc) |
| Cons ⚠️ | • Very competitive admissions statistics • Costly • Higher academic pressures | • Subject to workplace bias (i.e. MD to MD communication, “MD aware”) • Match bias in competitive specialties • Usually more expensive than MD |
Summary
✅ Both are fully licensed physicians.
✅ Both can match into almost any specialty.
✅ Both paths require strong academics, exams, and clinical skills.
✅ Match rates are now nearly identical.
🚨 Differences mostly matter in hyper-competitive specialties or in individual program preferences.
Bottom line: Choose the path that fits your stats, goals, and philosophy. Whether MD or DO, your success will come down to performance, persistence, and passion, not the letters after your name.
We hope this blog helps you differentiate between MD & DO!
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Good luck with your application and always remember, The Match Guy is here for you!
Good Luck Everyone!
By Dr. Donald Falbo
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