Okay, here are my thoughts on this merger.
This is largely a symbolic move, and nothing more than that.
Just because the match is now combined, does not mean that ACGME residencies are suddenly open to unqualified (i.e., non-USMLE taking) DO students. DO students have always been eligible to apply to ACGME programs, as long as they meet a certain standard in medical school and in their USMLE STEP scores. MD students will likely continue to pursue ACGME residencies, and most DO students will continue to stick to COMLEX and apply to AOA residencies. To say that MD students can now apply for AOA residency programs, is kind of a moot point - there is an omnipresnet sentiment that MD > DO, and it would seem that an MD student purposefully pursuing AOA programs would be taking a step backwards professionaly. Perhaps if an MD student wanted to pursue a competitive specialty, but did not have the scores needed to secure an ACGME residency, then maybe the option of pursuing AOA residency in that field is viable for an MD student, but I think that would only serve to put DO students at a disadvantage. Thus, much in a way that DO programs are considered by many to be a "fall-back" in case an MD acceptance is not attainable, I suspect that the option of pursuing an AOA residency in a competitive field would serve the same "fall-back" role for an MD student who will not likely match in that field through an ACGME program. Also, just because there is now a combined match, this does not mean that program directors at competitive ACGME programs are going to suddenly start inviting loads of DO applicants. Even further, what is to say that a PD just doesn't rank any DO students on their list at the end of residency interview season? A combined match system is not going to lead to marked changes in the process or afford much benefit to DO students, neither will it suddenly allievate the persistent issue of "DO discrimination".
