DO school acceptance rates typically range from about 2% to over 30%, depending on the program, making some osteopathic schools highly competitive and others more accessible. In this guide, you’ll find a comprehensive list of DO school acceptance rates, along with MCAT and GPA benchmarks, so you can quickly identify which schools match your profile. If you’re also comparing pathways, understanding how these figures relate to overall medical school acceptance rates can help you build a more strategic school list.
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List of DO School Acceptance Rates
The following is a shortlist of DO school acceptance rates across the United States, including average MCAT scores and GPA benchmarks for each program compiled using data from the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.
Before reviewing the data, here’s how to interpret it:
- Acceptance rates below ~5% indicate highly competitive programs
- Rates between ~5–15% are moderately competitive
- Rates above ~15% are relatively more accessible, though still selective
Use this table to identify schools that align with your GPA and MCAT rather than applying broadly without a strategy.
Key Takeaways from DO School Acceptance Rates
- Most DO schools fall within a 5–15% acceptance range
- A small number of programs are highly selective (<5%)
- Several schools have higher acceptance rates, but may have mission-based or geographic preferences
These patterns highlight the importance of applying broadly and strategically rather than focusing only on perceived ‘easier’ schools.
How to Interpret DO School Acceptance Rates for Your Application Strategy
Acceptance rates alone do not determine your chances of admission. To use this data effectively, you need to evaluate each school in relation to your own academic profile and application strength.
First, compare your GPA and MCAT score to each school’s averages in the table above. Schools where your stats meet or exceed the average are generally realistic targets, especially if you are not relying on strategies like applying to medical schools that accept low MCAT scores.
Second, remember that acceptance rates are influenced by factors such as in-state preference, mission alignment, and applicant pool size. Some schools with higher acceptance rates may still be difficult to enter if they prioritize specific applicant profiles.
Finally, acceptance rates should be used alongside a broader understanding of medical school requirements. If you need a complete breakdown of requirements, see our guide on medical school requirements. If you are still preparing your application, you should also review how to structure your timeline in our medical school application timeline guide and ensure your MCAT preparation is competitive using our MCAT prep resources.
By combining acceptance rate data with these factors, you can build a balanced school list that includes reach, target, and safer options.
DO School Acceptance Rates: What This Means for Your Chances
DO school acceptance rates show you exactly where you are competitive as an applicant—but only when you interpret them correctly alongside GPA and MCAT benchmarks. By comparing acceptance rates alongside GPA and MCAT benchmarks, you can identify realistic target schools and avoid applying too narrowly or too broadly.
Used correctly, this data allows you to build a strategic school list that maximizes your chances of acceptance while aligning with your long-term goals in osteopathic medicine.
FAQs
1. Are DO school acceptance rates higher than MD school acceptance rates?
While osteopathic school admission requirements are more inclusive and not as competitive as conventional MD programs, it is not easier to get into a DO school over an MD school. DO schools have standards like GPA cut-offs and minimum MCAT scores while also requiring their students to have completed courses in several science-based subjects before applying.
2. Is it cheaper to pursue a DO degree over an MD?
No, tuition fees for one year of a DO program are similar or even higher than one year of a medical school program. For example, the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine charges $50,000 USD, while the average medical school tuition in the US sits at $53,185. Many students wonder how much does medical school cost before applying, and for good reason. Aside from the tuition, there are all the other costs associated with pursuing a medical degree, like housing, food, textbooks, and application fees.
3. Why should I pursue a DO degree instead of an MD?
There is no one reason why you should pursue a DO degree over an MD, but the decision should be tied to your beliefs and philosophy about medicine and medical care. If you are a believer in the principles of osteopathic medicine (treating the whole body, emphasizing preventative medicine, promoting self-healing), then you should follow your beliefs. But if you are drawn more to the allopathic approach to medicine (treating specific illnesses and diseases, focusing on specific organs and internal systems), which is what MDs practice, you should follow that path.
4. Will I be matched in a residency program as a DO graduate?
Yes, DO graduates must complete residency training like their MD counterparts, and many DO schools offer students residency match services to help them complete their education. Schools do this not only to assure their applicants will not have to hire a residency application consultant but also ensure that graduates decide to stay and practice in the community where they were trained.
5. Do DOs make less money than MDs?
Yes, medical doctors with MDs typically make more money than their DO counterparts, based on income earning statistics. MDs often spend more time training and becoming specialists in specific areas of medicine, which makes them more valuable to hospitals, clinics, and private practices.
6. Do I need to take the MCAT to get into a DO school?
Yes, a majority of osteopathic schools require that applicants take the MCAT. Successful applicants have an average score of 504 or higher, but each school has its own cut-offs and MCAT criteria.
7. Is an MD better than a DO degree?
No, an MD is not better than a DO degree. Both approaches to medicine – osteopathic and allopathic - have the ultimate goal of helping people live better, healthier lives, and they achieve that in different ways. MDs go further into specializations that treat individual parts of the body, while DOs offer primary care to treat the everyday maladies of underserved populations. However, these approaches are not mutually exclusive, and there is a lot of overlap between the two, like an emphasis on foundational science courses, research and innovation, and patient-centered care.
8. Should I shadow a doctor to help my chances?
Shadowing is when you follow a practicing doctor during the day to see how they execute their duties and what challenges they face. Many medical schools recommend that applicants shadow a doctor and even provide guidance on how to ask to shadow a doctor. DO schools do not explicitly recommend that their students shadow a doctor, although they do recommend it as a way to boost your application’s profile.
9. What is the average DO school acceptance rate?
The overall acceptance rate for DO schools is approximately 31%, but individual programs range widely from about 2% to over 30%, depending on selectivity and applicant volume.
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