Every year, tens of thousands of students prepare for medical school. In addition to the choice of major, MCAT prep, or any other number of factors, one that faces practically every medical student is the choice between allopathic medicine, or an MD, and osteopathic medicine, or a DO. While both are full medical degrees, there are a number of differences between the two. One isn’t necessarily better than the other, but depending on the type of medicine that you wish to practice, one may be better suited to you.
Before going any further, it is worth understanding the differences between an MD and a DO. While both degrees lead to the same outcome, there are still a number of differences between the two. Think about it like this: You can go to pick up dinner, or you can have it delivered. Either way, you have the same end result of eating dinner at home (and one that you didn’t have to cook!).
Differences
For most people, going to medical school means getting an MD. The majority of doctors in the United States are MDs, and the vast majority of medical schools produce graduates who carry the title of MD. At the risk of making a very general overstatement, MDs focus on the treatment of disease.
This is a stark philosophical difference from a DO. Instead, DOs focus on holistic health. They are interested in how the entire body functions as a single entity, rather than individual systems. One way this manifests itself is that DO students have to spend 200 hours learning how to perform Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment, or OMT. These techniques involve moving tissues and joints, and have been clinically proven to help relieve some forms of pain. MDs receive no such training.
This difference in philosophy can best be explained using an example. Let’s say that a patient presents with high blood pressure. Both an MD and a DO are going to encourage the patient to pursue a healthier diet and a more active lifestyle, as well as consider some prescription medications. However, look for the DO to be more hesitant with the medication, instead wanting to focus on healthier foods and more exercise.
Admissions Differences
It is not only in philosophy that the MD and DO programs differ. The application process can be somewhat different. First, it’s worth establishing that there are a lot of similarities. Every DO and MD program requires students to complete an undergraduate degree, and they all require at least a year of basic biology, a year of physics, and a year each of general and organic chemistry (some schools). Most also require some combination of calculus, statistics, biochemistry, or English. Note that there are no specific major requirements; Classics majors are just as prepared to be doctors as chemistry majors, as long as they fulfill the minimum requirements. Also, everyone has to take the MCAT.
However, that’s where the similarities start to end. MD programs offer more spots—about 23,048 matriculants in the 2024-2025 cycle, per the AAMC, compared to 8,900 in DO programs, per AACOM—but don’t assume they’re easier to get into. With 51,946 MD applicants (a 44.4% acceptance rate) versus 22,000 DO applicants (a 40% rate), competition is fierce for both. DO programs still attract many non-traditional students, like older career-switchers, though 2024 AACOM data shows a growing wave of younger applicants narrowing the age gap slightly.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that DO programs are easier to get into, though. DO programs like to have people who see medicine like they do, so if you’re simply applying to a DO program because you think it will be easier, you’re going to have a rough time getting through the application process.
Similarities
Despite all this, there are a lot of similarities. Both DOs and MDs can practice medicine anywhere in the United States. They can apply to each others’ residency programs, and we’ll talk more about that in a minute. Also, they take the same science classes in medical school. No matter which route you take, you’ll be qualified as a doctor by the end of it.
Is One Better?
Some people mistakenly believe that an MD is more prestigious than a DO. They point to the fact that the MD is a more established degree and that MDs tend to make more money and hold more specialized roles. However, a lot of this has to do with the fact that there are simply more MDs out there; 90% of doctors are MDs. Instead, potential doctors should approach the question as a reflection of how they view medicine. If they are concerned with the treatment of disease, then an MD route may make more sense. If, on the other hand, they want to play a more preventative role, then the DO option could well be better.
MD vs. DO Residencies
Historically, MDs and DOs faced different residency paths, but that’s old news. Since the 2020 merger under the ACGME, the system’s fully unified—MDs and DOs freely apply to each other’s programs. In 2024, NRMP data shows MD grads matched at 91% and DO grads at 88%, proving the playing field’s nearly level. Still, some differences linger in exam requirements.”
In 2020, MD students were finally allowed to apply to DO residencies. This has gone a long way in leveling the playing ground, but there are still some differences. MDs have to pass the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE), while DOs have to pass the Comprehensive Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX). However, some MD residencies require students to pass the USMLE regardless of their background, so plenty of DOs take the USMLE as well. Both routes provide plenty of preparation for each.
Trends Among Residents
MDs often edge out in earnings—think $250,000 median salary vs. $220,000 for DOs, per 2024 Medscape—partly because many chase specialties from prestigious programs. DOs, with their holistic bent, historically lean toward general practice, but that’s shifting. By 2025, 35% of DOs enter specialties (up from 25% a decade ago, per AACOM), shrinking the earnings gap as they adapt to competitive fields.
However, DOs who do choose to specialize and who excel on their COMLEX and USMLE exams can find themselves in the most prestigious MD residencies. In that case, there is no difference in earnings.
MDs enjoy universal recognition worldwide, while DOs are accepted in ~65 countries—solid, but not everywhere. That said, 2025 brings progress, with nations like Australia and Canada expanding reciprocity agreements, slowly boosting the DO’s global cred.
Compared to Foreign Degrees
We’re focused on U.S. programs here, but some students eye foreign degrees. U.S. MDs and DOs lead in residency matches—88-91% in 2024, per NRMP—followed by UK/Ireland grads. Caribbean schools trail at 50-70%, though top ones hit 75% in 2024, showing slight gains.
This really does depend on the residency, however. Ultra competitive residencies, like dermatology, will be dominated by MDs; of the ~70 Irish med school grads to apply for residencies in the US in a given year, only one will end up with a dermatology placement. However, for those looking to practice general medicine, any route can work.
Which Is Right for You?
Ultimately, the choice of whether to pursue an MD or a DO comes down to the career goals of the individual student. Generally speaking, those interested in a more holistic, prevention-centered form of medicine, in which a practitioner takes an active role in all aspects of a patient’s medical life will find more fulfillment as a DO, while those wanting specialization, especially with regards to treating diseases of specific systems, will prefer being MDs.
The best way to figure this out is through spending considerable time pursuing healthcare internships and physician shadowing opportunities. Luckily, we have just the internships to help you find out whether you are more of an MD, DO, or even another healthcare professional like a PA.
Discover Your Path with International Medical Aid
Introduction
Choosing between an MD or DO—or another healthcare path—starts with understanding your calling. International Medical Aid (IMA), a not‑for‑profit founded by Johns Hopkins alumni, offers pre‑med students immersive global health internships that clarify your fit in medicine. Whether you lean toward the disease‑focused lens of an MD or the holistic ethos of a DO, IMA’s programs in East Africa, South America, and the Caribbean deliver hands‑on experience, cultural insight, and career‑defining clarity.
Why Experience Matters in 2025
Medical schools—both MD and DO—now prioritize applicants with real‑world exposure. According to a 2024 report from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), 82 percent of programs rate “clinical maturity” as a top admissions factor, up from 70 percent five years ago. Shadowing physicians or serving underserved communities is more than a résumé builder. It provides a clear window into the realities of healthcare practice and helps you confirm whether medicine is the right path.
What IMA Offers
Clinical Shadowing Across Specialties
IMA places you in busy hospitals and clinics in locations such as Mombasa, Kenya and Cusco, Peru. You will shadow physicians in specialties ranging from internal medicine and pediatrics to surgery and mental health. These experiences allow you to compare the MD model—focused on diagnosis and treatment—with the DO model’s emphasis on preventive care and whole‑person medicine. In 2024, IMA interns logged over 50,000 shadowing hours, giving them compelling stories to share with admissions committees.
Global Health in Action
IMA’s programs immerse you in region‑specific health challenges, including HIV prevention initiatives in Uganda and maternal health projects in Ecuador. You gain practical skills in disease management and preventive medicine by participating in community outreach—such as hygiene education or nutrition workshops. A 2025 American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) survey found that 65 percent of DO programs now value global health experience, marking it a powerful asset for applicants to MD and DO schools.
Cultural Immersion
Medicine is fundamentally about people. IMA complements clinical training with cultural experiences that foster empathy and adaptability. Whether you are hiking the foothills of Kilimanjaro or exploring local markets in the Caribbean, you will gain insight into the social determinants of health and learn to communicate effectively across cultural barriers. IMA provides secure housing, private transportation, and 24/7 on‑site support so you can focus on learning and growth.
Tailored Support That Sets You Up for Success
Pre‑Trip Guidance
IMA handles all logistics—from visa assistance and travel insurance (with $1 million coverage) to comprehensive safety briefings—so you can concentrate on your learning objectives. Pre‑departure webinars prepare you for clinical expectations and cultural differences.
Mentorship and Admissions Edge
On site, experienced healthcare professionals mentor you through each clinical encounter. After your internship, IMA continues to support you with admissions consulting, including personal statement reviews, interview coaching, and letters of recommendation. In 2024, 87 percent of IMA alumni reported that this mentorship significantly strengthened their medical school applications.
Who Should Join IMA
IMA programs are designed for high school students, undergraduates, and gap‑year students exploring pre‑health pathways. No prior clinical experience is required. Placements are customized to your skill level, ensuring ethical participation and compliance with AAMC guidelines.
IMA’s Global Impact
In 2025, IMA interns will serve thousands of patients across underserved regions—delivering nutrition education in Peru and supporting mental health clinics in Kenya. Alumni consistently describe these experiences as transformative. One 2024 participant reflected, “Helping a Kenyan mother manage her child’s asthma showed me the true power of compassionate care.”
How to Join
Applications open once a year and spots fill quickly. Program lengths range from two to twelve weeks. Visit medicalaid.org to view application deadlines, program fees, and scholarship opportunities. For questions about scholarships or placements, email admissions@medicalaid.org. By joining IMA, you gain clarity on whether the MD or DO path—or another healthcare role—is the right fit for your future.