US DO Osteopathic Medical Schools — MCAT, AACOMAS & DO Philosophy

Both MD (Doctor of Medicine) and DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) are fully licensed physicians in the United States who can prescribe medication, perform surgery, and practise in any specialty. DO programmes additionally train students in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) and emphasise whole-body musculoskeletal approaches. Both MD and DO graduates sit USMLE licensing exams (some DO graduates also sit COMLEX-USA). Residency match outcomes have converged significantly since the 2020 merger of MD and DO residency programmes into a single NRMP match.

DO schools generally accept a broader range of MCAT scores than highly selective MD programmes. The national average MCAT for DO matriculants in 2023–24 was approximately 504–506. Scores below 508 are common among DO matriculants, though some of the more selective DO programmes (PCOM, AZCOM, KCUMB) report median MCATs of 508–511. Many DO applicants also apply to MD schools — your MCAT preparation should target the MD programmes you want, as DO schools will be within range if your MD score is competitive.

AACOMAS (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service) is the centralised primary application service for DO-granting programmes. AACOMAS applications open in May and can be submitted from late May / early June. Unlike AMCAS, AACOMAS recalculates your GPA using its own formula — it includes all repeated courses and calculates its own BCPM science GPA. Some DO schools have their own portals in addition to AACOMAS. You can apply to both MD (AMCAS) and DO (AACOMAS) schools in the same cycle using separate applications.

Since the 2020 merger of ACGME (MD) and AOA (DO) residency accreditation, MD and DO graduates compete in a single NRMP Main Residency Match. DO students can match into all ACGME-accredited programmes, including highly competitive specialties. Outcome data show DO graduates matching into dermatology, orthopaedic surgery, and other competitive programmes. However, the most research-intensive academic medical centre residencies still skew heavily toward MD graduates. In primary care and family medicine, DO graduates fare equally well or better than MDs in many programmes.

Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) is a set of hands-on diagnostic and treatment techniques that form a core part of DO training. OMM techniques include muscle energy technique (MET), high-velocity low-amplitude (HVLA) thrust, myofascial release, and counterstrain. DO students complete 200+ hours of OMM instruction during medical school. COMLEX Level 1 and 2-PE include OMM-specific components not tested in USMLE. Interest in and genuine understanding of OMM philosophy is expected in DO school interviews.

Most US medical school applicants with a competitive profile (MCAT 508+, GPA 3.6+) apply to a mix of both MD and DO programmes. Applying to both increases your chance of receiving at least one interview invitation. With 40–50 primary applications typical in a single cycle, including 10–15 DO schools alongside MD programmes is a standard strategy. There is no stigma in attending a DO programme — the important outcome is becoming a licensed physician. Some applicants are genuinely drawn to osteopathic philosophy and target DO schools by choice.