I would like to comment on a few things.
as someone who was formerly skeptical about DO's, I have gained a great amount of respect for them. DO's chose their path fully knowing that there is a distinct difference between their future profession and allopathic medicine, that might hinder their ability to achieve the greatest heights of the medical profession. Many of them also chose their path because, unlike their MD counterparts, DOs are fully invested in the treatment of disease in their patients, and not because they prefer to spend their lives as physician scientists.
That being said, in an era when so-called "differences" between people are quickly being accepted the norm, DO's have also gained acceptance into the medical profession as being equal. Like any other right-or-wrong discussion, there are two sides to ever coin, and with osteopathic medicine, it is exactly that.
DO's can attain practically any residency, if they so choose. However, you must work for whatever it is that you achieve, like in any other profession. Yes, it may be a little bit harder to achieve a coveted MD residency in derm, for example, but if you want it bad enough, it will come. (example: 3 graduates from my school matched to neurosurg, one to an MD residency, and another graduate matched in MD urology, not to mention the student that matched to peds neuro fellowship at Mayo for his fellowship)
Regardless, all premeds should ask themselves the question, "why do really want to go to med school?" If your answer is money, fame, or research, please, apply to MD schools because they are better suited for your needs. If you answer, because I want to work with people, or because I want to help people with their medical needs, then DO schools are your answer.
DO schools, while leaning towards "osteopathic manipulation" or "primary care", do produce physicians that do everything but that. While I cannot speak for all DO schools, you can definitely achieve the goals you have set in mind for yourself at a DO school. It is up to you to decide whether you will be content in your chosen profession. Honestly, if you feel that a DO degree is "inferior" or not as good as an MD degree, you should not apply to DO schools because you will not be content there.
Finally, as a tip to all the premeds out there, please, please, please evaluate what you want to do and why you want to do it. Pursue the profession that will enable you to be happy, because, once you choose medicine(allo or osteo), it is difficult to ignore the debt you have accumulated and head in another direction.
ps. for all of you that are "on the border" between allo and osteo...apply to both. see what happens. when it comes time to decide on a school, decide based on the school itself and what it has to offer. i guarantee that your decision will become much easier.