I humbly recommend applying to both. If you gain admission to both, then ask yourself what you see yourself doing in medicine. If you think you want to specialize in a competitive field, then I recommend the M.D. Don't get me wrong, an osteopathic education will more than prepare you for any field and your degree will both, be respected and open the doors wide open to anything. But, nevertheless, the M.D. is absolutely undisputed. There are still a small but real bunch out threthat either do not know what D.O.s are or who consider them second tier. Whether right or not ( which they are not), never theless it is true. However, if you find the osteopathic philosophy of medical practice, including OMT appealing, then go for it. But, make an informed decision, and an honest one. Don't apologize for wanting the M.D. if that is what you really want; there is nothing wrong with it. Everyone is entitled to their own desires. IF your goal is primary care, then osteopathic medical training will probably give you a better foundation. However, the differences are so blurred, especially during the clinical years and then later in practice that, unless you use OMT both are the same. However, OMT is an invaluable tool for a primary care physican. Go to the best school you can, and the one where you think you'll be the happiest. Size them up during you interview. In the long run, if you are good, you are good, regardless of your degree. The MD will give you more recognition right off the bat, the DO will give you an extra tool, especially in primary care. And in clinical practice, it probably wont matter one way or the other. Your patients will call you Doctor, either way.
