Types of Medical Schools: Is Allopathic (MD) or Osteopathic (DO) Right for You?

MD and DO: What's the Difference?

• This article sums it up pretty well: "Anyone who dreams of becoming a doctor should understand that there are two types of med schools: allopathic and osteopathic schools. While allopathic schools offer a traditional medical curriculum, osteopathic schools supplement lessons in standard medical sciences and practices with instruction on how to provide touch-based diagnosis and treatment of various health problems, such as circulatory issues and musculoskeletal conditions.

While both allopathic and osteopathic med schools provide preparation for a career as a doctor, the academic credentials awarded are different. Graduates of allopathic schools receive Doctor of Medicine, or M.D., degrees. Osteopathic school alumni have Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, or D.O., degrees. Someone holding either degree can call himself or herself a physician."

(Read the full piece here!)

• To sum it up: both DO and MD educations are paths to becoming a physician. The main differences are in the degree earned and the philosophy of healing, with DO providing additional hands-on training that emphasizes a holistic mind-body approach.

How do I choose whether to apply/attend DO or MD?

• There are many factors that play into deciding whether to attend an MD or DO school, and there are many applicants who apply to both.

• Keep in mind, while there is overlap in content required on the applications, the applications are completely separate, with most MD schools using AMCAS as their application site, and DO schools using AACOMAS for their applications. So be strategic in applying to schools and program types that truly interest you!

• Both the AMCAS and AACOMAS applications require their own application fees and ask you to respond to their own essay responses, so time and money is a consideration if you choose to apply to both

• See this infographic for a quick look at the differences between DO and MD: