Question about ERAS and DO vs MD application dates

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alpinebrook

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Not sure if I'm posting in the right forum...

A message from ERAS states the following: "The first day that applicants can certify and submit their application and apply to programs for the ERAS 2016 season will be July 15th for all fellowship applicants and DO residency applicants and September 15th for MD residency applicants."

I was just curious, why are DO applicants allowed to apply two months earlier than MDs? Does this put MDs at any sort of disadvantage?