Busting the Biggest Myths about Osteopathic Medical School (DO) Admissions

The myths that we’ll cover range widely, from the totally baseless to the somewhat understandable, but we’re going to bust them all.

Our goal is not simply to say “Gotcha!” and make you feel bad about your misconceptions.

Rather, we want to give you the full and true story surrounding osteopathic medicine and encourage you to consider this viable career path!   

Myth #1: DO Physicians are Not Real Doctors

Fact: U.S. Trained DOs are fully licensed physicians who can prescribe medicine, perform surgeries, and pursue any specialty (not just primary care!) in the exact same way as an MD.

Myth #2: DO Physicians Have Limited Practice Rights

Fact: In the U.S., DOs and MDs are considered equal and have full practice rights in all 50 states, and international practice rights are expanding every day.

Myth #3: DO Schools are Only for Those Who Don’t Get into MD Schools

Fact: Just like there are many students who attend a state medical school because they didn’t get into Johns Hopkins or Harvard, there are certainly students who attend a DO school after being denied admission to an MD school. However, there are also many students who consider a DO school as their top choice, and many prestigious doctors are DOs.

Residency Stats: In the 2024 NRMP Main Residency Match, U.S. MD seniors achieved a 93.5% match rate, while U.S. DO seniors reached a record high of 92.3%. This narrow gap underscores the competitiveness of DO applicants. Although DOs may have lower match rates in certain competitive specialties, those who excel academically and perform well on licensing exams remain strong candidates for top residency programs.

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Myth #4: Osteopathic Medicine is a Form of Drugless or Alternative Medicine

Fact: Although DOs may show a preference towards non-prescriptive or non-invasive approaches to treatment when possible, this myth is a vast overgeneralization. The founder of osteopathic medicine, Andrew Taylor Still (whom A.T. Still University is named after), fully intended to have medications, surgery, and obstetrics be retained and considered part of osteopathic medicine alongside manual therapy.

Myth #5: Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine/Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMM/OMT) is Pseudoscience and Quackery 

Fact: OMM/OMT is an evidence-informed, hands-on approach to care taught at accredited medical schools, supported by research, reimbursed by insurance, and practiced by fully licensed physicians. While it’s not for every condition, when used appropriately, it complements conventional treatment and enhances patient outcomes. Here’s a great overview explaining more on OMM.

Myth #6: Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine/Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMM/OMT) is Just Chiropractic Medicine

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Fact: Although osteopathic physicians do learn articulatory techniques of the joints, they also learn a myriad of other techniques such as myofascial release, facilitated positional release, counterstrain, etc. that are meant to be used in conjunction with conventional medicine.

Myth #7: Osteopaths are the Same as Osteopathic Physicians (DOs)

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Fact: The short answer is no. U.S. trained DOs are fully licensed physicians that also perform OMM/OMT. Outside the U.S., there are no osteopathic medical schools that confer the DO degree recognized for full physician licensure (as of 2025). In many European and Commonwealth countries, 'osteopaths' are trained in manual therapy and do not practice full-scope medicine. U.S.-trained DOs, however, are recognized as fully licensed physicians in over 65 countries, although practice rights vary by country

Myth #8: You Can Simply Apply to DO Schools as an Easy Back-up Plan 

Fact: Although it can be wise to “hedge your bets” by applying to both types of programs, you’ll only be successful with your DO applications if you actually take the time to explore osteopathic medicine through shadowing and actively apply its values and tenets in your activities.

It’s also super important to secure a letter of recommendation from a DO, which is usually only feasible through this type of shadowing exposure. 

Many DO schools will heavily vet candidates for their commitment to osteopathic medicine through several secondary essays that inquire about your DO shadowing experiences, your understanding of DO principles, and your vision for how you’ll incorporate these principles in your career.

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The myths are loud, but the facts are louder: DOs are real doctors, with real impact, and real opportunities. If you’re serious about becoming a physician, don’t let outdated assumptions steer your path—osteopathic medicine deserves a serious look.

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