How to Compare Med School Programs, Curriculum, and School Fit

How to Compare Med School Programs, Curriculum, and School Fit

How do you compare medical school programs? There are six factors that determine fit: MD versus DO program type, curriculum model, timing of clinical exposure, mission and research alignment, culture and student support, and residency match outcomes. This video breaks down each factor so you can evaluate programs against your actual goals — not just their reputation.

As of 2025, there are 155 LCME-accredited MD-granting medical schools in the United States and 40 COCA-accredited DO-granting colleges of osteopathic medicine. Most MD programs apply through AMCAS and DO programs through AACOMAS, while public Texas medical schools apply through TMDSAS. The MSAR database is the most comprehensive tool for comparing entering class profiles, GPA and MCAT ranges, tuition, and specialty choice outcomes across LCME MD programs. The Choose DO Explorer serves the equivalent function for AACOMAS programs.

1. What is the difference between MD and DO programs?

MD and DO degrees lead to the same full medical licensure in the United States. Graduates of both program types can practice in any specialty, prescribe medication, and compete for the same residency positions through the National Resident Matching Program. The distinction is in the training: DO programs include additional coursework in osteopathic manipulative medicine — a hands-on approach to diagnosis and treatment — and tend to place a stronger emphasis on primary care and whole-patient wellness.

DO applicants take the COMLEX licensing exam series; MD applicants take the USMLE. DO students may also elect to take the USMLE. Since the 2020 merger of MD and DO residency matches, DO graduates compete in the same applicant pool as MD graduates for all residency programs. For applicants whose profile is competitive for MD programs and whose specialty interests skew toward research-intensive fields, the MD pathway is generally the stronger strategic choice. For applicants whose profile is stronger for DO programs or whose interests align with primary care, a DO program is a legitimate and strategically sound path.

2. What curriculum models do medical schools use?

Medical school curricula generally fall into three models. Traditional programs use discipline-based, lecture-heavy instruction — anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry taught as separate subjects. Systems-based programs integrate all disciplines around organ systems, so students learn cardiology from the anatomical, physiological, biochemical, and pharmacological angle simultaneously. Problem-based and case-based learning programs center instruction around real patient cases in small group discussions, with less formal lecturing.