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The 2026-2027 DO School Specific Threads are now available in the School Specific Discussions forum. The 2025-2026 discussions are now available in the prior year discussions forum.
How important is research experience for getting into a DO School?
Started by CheesyBread
G
gmcguitar4
Research is not near necessary for acceptance to allopathic schools. It is absolutely necessary for top schools though because the top schools you are aware of are actually the top research schools. You can get into MD or DO without research..although it def can help for both.
I'd say its not as much of a requirement, only because I've seen more interviewees at DO schools without research experience. That being said, I was asked about my research at all of my interviews.
I also wouldn't be surprised if most of the accepted DO applicants have research experience. As a physician, you're expected to have a good understanding of the scientific process, and even contribute to it (obviously some specialties emphasize this more than others), so research is important in that regard.
I also wouldn't be surprised if most of the accepted DO applicants have research experience. As a physician, you're expected to have a good understanding of the scientific process, and even contribute to it (obviously some specialties emphasize this more than others), so research is important in that regard.
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Thank you for the responses.
Well this is what I've learned so far. Most allo schools will report the percentage of accepted applicants with relevant research experience on the MSAR. Generally speaking, even the lower tier allo schools report that at least 70% of accepted students have research experience. I guess it's not so much what the school requires, it's who you're competing against.
I couldn't find any similar matriculant stats for osteo schools so I appreciate your responses that research will by no means hurt your application. I now feel that research experience is less necessary for osteo schools, but I will heed your advice that it will make you a much stronger applicant. It's always better to be safe than sorry after all.
Well this is what I've learned so far. Most allo schools will report the percentage of accepted applicants with relevant research experience on the MSAR. Generally speaking, even the lower tier allo schools report that at least 70% of accepted students have research experience. I guess it's not so much what the school requires, it's who you're competing against.
I couldn't find any similar matriculant stats for osteo schools so I appreciate your responses that research will by no means hurt your application. I now feel that research experience is less necessary for osteo schools, but I will heed your advice that it will make you a much stronger applicant. It's always better to be safe than sorry after all.
I had zero research. Interviewed at 4 schools and accepted at all 4. Withdrew from all other schools after that.
Not particularly.
Not emphasized, but if you want to enter a program like UMDNJ, OSUCOM, TCOM, OUCOM, and MSUCOM, it would be encouraged that you do as these schools are research institutions.
I made a conscientious decision to put off research until Medical School... so I can know what I'm doing 😉
Still had 5 interviews, MD and DO.
Still had 5 interviews, MD and DO.
Thank you all for the insightful responses. I appreciate it. 🙂
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meh osteopath school has such low standards compared to med school, you don't need anything to get in.
How many did you apply to? Did you do both allopathic and osteopathic?
I heard they take anybody with a pulse
osteopathic medical school = medical school.
my dog got in but he had to apply early in the cycle, it's biased towards humans
whaaat????? What atrocity!
I know right!? My goldfish made it, but I'm still waitlisted. Here's hoping for an acceptance at janitorial school
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I know right!? My goldfish made it, but I'm still waitlisted. Here's hoping for an acceptance at janitorial school
You are better off there anyway. PD's really prefer janitorial students.
It doesn't hurt!
If you have an opportunity take it to at least see if that is something that you like to do!
If you have an opportunity take it to at least see if that is something that you like to do!
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I would like to know this as well.
I'm guessing it shows leadership if you did an independent project and also gives something to talk about for interviews.
Also, lets not get off topic.
exactly 893 hours and 1 publication as a main author, no more, no less.
seriously, how many times do we have to talk about things like this? med school application in general is a crapshoot, no body knows for sure
plus, stop distinguishing DO schools by tiers. It sounds completely ridiculous.
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I don't know what you consider low- to mid-tier schools, but at my TUNCOM interview (not to knock TUNCOM since I'm choosing to go there over several others) they asked if any of my research was published and if so, in what journal and when. So I think one factor is whether the research was published.
My research background didn't come up in any of my four other interviews, including UMDNJ.
