Essential Guide for DO Graduates: Researching General Surgery Residency Programs

As a DO graduate interested in general surgery, researching residency programs is both exciting and daunting. You’re navigating not only the usual complexity of the surgery residency match but also unique considerations as a DO applicant—such as how programs view COMLEX scores, prior AOA legacy culture, and osteopathic training.

This guide walks you step-by-step through how to research residency programs in general surgery as a DO graduate, with practical tools, examples, and a clear program research strategy you can start using today.

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Understanding Your Starting Point as a DO Graduate

Before you dive into lists and spreadsheets, clarify where you stand and what matters for you as a DO graduate pursuing a general surgery residency.

1. Know your application profile

Write down the key components of your profile:

• COMLEX Level 1/2 (and/or USMLE Step 1/2 if taken)
• Class rank/quartile, GPA
• Surgical clerkship and sub-I evaluations
• Research (number of projects, type, publications, presentations)
• Letters of recommendation (especially from surgeons)
• Geographic ties (family, school, prior work)
• Red flags (exam failures, leaves of absence, professionalism concerns)

This “snapshot” will guide which programs you target and how you interpret data when evaluating residency programs.

DO-specific considerations:

• If you have COMLEX only: You’ll prioritize programs with a history of taking COMLEX and DOs.
• If you have both COMLEX and USMLE: You have broader options; some highly competitive academic programs still strongly prefer or require USMLE scores.
• If you attend/attended a school with a strong surgical reputation or a well-known surgical department, you can leverage that in networking and letters.

2. Clarify your goals in general surgery

General surgery training is intense and varies significantly by program. Ask yourself:

• Do you want a high-volume, academically oriented program with strong fellowship placement?
• Or a community-focused program preparing you for broad-based general practice?
• Are you aiming for a surgical subspecialty fellowship (e.g., vascular, colorectal, surgical oncology, MIS)?
• How important is location (specific city/state, cost of living, proximity to family)?
• What’s your tolerance for workload and call structure?

Your answers shape your program research strategy and help you distinguish between “good on paper” and “good for you.”

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Core Resources for Osteopathic Residency Match Research

To research programs efficiently, you need to know where to look and how to interpret what you find.

1. Official databases and tools

These are your primary, objective sources:

• FREIDA (AMA)

  • Filter by: Specialty = General Surgery; Program Type = ACGME-accredited
  • Use filters for:
    • Program size (number of residents)
    • Setting (community vs university vs community-based, university-affiliated)
    • Region/State
  • Look for:
    • Number of positions per year
    • Contact information
    • Whether they list DO residents or DO-friendly language

• NRMP’s “Charting Outcomes in the Match” & “Program Director Survey”

  • Focus on:
    • Data specific to general surgery residency applicants
    • Match rates and characteristics for DO applicants in surgery (if available)
    • Factors PDs rate as most important (e.g., Step/COMLEX scores, LORs, clerkship grades, AOA/Gold Humanism, research)

• Program websites (ACGME-accredited general surgery programs)

  • These are essential for:
    • Curriculum structure (rotations, trauma exposure, ICU time)
    • Case volume and operative autonomy
    • Resident list (MD/DO mix, diversity, fellowship match)
    • Leadership and faculty interests

2. DO-specific resources

Because you’re a DO graduate, lean into resources that highlight where osteopathic graduates have succeeded:

• AACOM & AOA legacy information

  • Some programs historically affiliated with AOA/osteopathic programs prior to the single accreditation system often remain very DO-friendly.
  • Look for language like “We welcome applications from osteopathic graduates” or “Former AOA-accredited program.”

• Your COM/Med school’s GME office and alumni network

  • Ask for:
    • Lists of general surgery programs where recent DO grads matched
    • Names of alumni in current general surgery residency programs who can share insights

• Online communities (with caution)

  • r/medicalschool, r/Residency, Student Doctor Network
  • Use these only to supplement, not replace, official information.

3. Secondary tools: Ranking and reputation websites

Use these carefully and contextually:

• Doximity Residency Navigator

  • Helpful for:
    • Identifying programs known for strong academic reputations or particular subspecialties
    • Seeing approximate ranking tiers
  • Limitations:
    • Heavily perception-based
    • Can under-represent DO-friendly community or smaller programs

• US News, hospital rankings, and institutional reputation

  • Useful as one data point, mainly for large academic institutions.
  • Don’t conflate hospital prestige with educational quality for residents.

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Step-by-Step Program Research Strategy for DO Applicants

Here is a structured program research strategy you can follow:

Step 1: Build your initial list (broad)

Goal: Create a longlist of ~80–120 programs (depending on competitiveness) that could reasonably be within reach.

How to build it:

1. FREIDA search: Filter by General Surgery and your preferred regions.
2. Exclude:
   • Newly accredited programs with no track record, unless you have strong ties.
   • Programs that explicitly state “USMLE required” if you did COMLEX only.
3. Include:
   • Prior AOA-legacy programs, which may be particularly DO-friendly.
   • Community programs affiliated with academic centers.
   • A mix of upper-, mid-, and lower-tier programs.

DO-focused tip:
Ask your school’s GME office for a list of general surgery residency match outcomes for recent DO graduates. Any program that has taken your school’s grads is a strong starting candidate.

Step 2: Screen for DO-friendliness

Now refine your list using explicit and implicit markers of DO-friendliness.

What to look for on program websites and rosters:

• Current residents:
  • Do you see DOs among PGY1–PGY5?
  • Is there more than one DO? More DOs often indicates sustained DO-friendliness.
• Application requirements:
  • Do they explicitly accept COMLEX?
  • Do they say “USMLE required” or “USMLE recommended”? If recommended and you don’t have it, that’s a mild risk but not always a firm barrier.
• Historical match data (if they list it):
  • Names and degrees of matched interns
  • Any mention of osteopathic graduates

Example assessment:

• Program A: “We accept COMLEX or USMLE; many current residents listed as DOs”
  → Strongly DO-friendly; keep it.
• Program B: “USMLE Step 1 and 2 required; no DOs among 25+ residents”
  → Likely not DO-friendly unless you have very strong scores and unique ties.
• Program C: No explicit mention, roster has 1 DO in PGY3
  → Possibly DO-neutral; research further, but keep on the list.

Step 3: Evaluate training quality and program fit

Next, move from “Can I get in?” to “Do I want to train here?” This is core to evaluating residency programs.

Key domains to assess:

1. Clinical exposure and operative experience

• Case volume:

  • Do they publish case logs or mention that residents “consistently exceed ACGME minimums”?
  • Is there a balance of bread-and-butter general surgery (hernia, cholecystectomy, bowel resections) and complex cases (oncologic, vascular, hepatobiliary)?

• Trauma exposure:

  • Level I or II trauma centers typically offer higher trauma volume.
  • Look at number and type of trauma call sites.

• ICU and critical care training:

  • How much time in SICU/MICU?
  • Who runs the ICU: surgeons, anesthesiologists, intensivists?

2. Academic environment and fellowship opportunities

If you’re aiming for fellowship:

• Check website for:
  • Recent fellowship placements of graduates
  • Presence of in-house fellowships (trauma, critical care, MIS, vascular, surgical oncology, etc.)
  • Ongoing research projects and clinical trials

High-level academic programs may be more competitive for DOs, especially without USMLE, but many DO graduates successfully match into solid academic general surgery programs with the right preparation.

3. Culture, support, and wellness

This is harder to quantify but crucial:

• Watch for:

  • Resident testimonials or blog posts
  • Pictures: Do residents look diverse? DoDOs appear included in group photos?
  • Website language on mentorship, wellness, and support

• Red flags:

  • Very high attrition (“X residents left in recent years”)
  • Online reports of toxic environment, consistently extreme work hours well above norms without clear educational benefit

DO-specific angle:
Try to identify whether DO residents at the program are thriving—if they are chief residents, winning awards, participating in research, that’s a strong signal of inclusion and respect.

Step 4: Assess competitiveness and your odds

Now align your profile with program competitiveness.

Factors to consider:

• Your COMLEX/USMLE scores vs. program expectations or national averages
• Your academic ranking and clerkship grades
• Research output compared to what the program emphasizes (academic vs community)
• Whether you have geographic ties to the region

Divide your list into tiers:

• Reach programs: Top academic centers, famous trauma hospitals, extremely competitive locations; you apply to a limited number.
• Target programs: Solid academic or community programs where your stats are around their typical range.
• Safety programs: DO-friendly programs, often community or smaller academic centers, in less “desired” locations.

A DO applicant in general surgery might aim for something like:

• 20–30% Reach
• 40–50% Target
• 20–30% Safety

(Adjust based on your personal competitiveness and risk tolerance.)

Step 5: Finalize your application list

Convert longlist → shortlist, ideally 60–80+ programs for a typical DO applicant in general surgery, depending on your CV strength. Highly competitive DOs (strong scores, research, strong home institution) may apply to fewer; those with weaker metrics may apply broadly.

When trimming, prioritize:

• DO-friendliness (history of DOs on roster)
• Alignment with your goals (fellowship, academics vs community, geography)
• Reasonable balance of program tiers

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How to Systematically Compare and Track Programs

Once you’ve done initial research, you need a way to organize what you’ve learned so you can make decisions and tailor your application.

Build a residency research spreadsheet

Use Excel, Google Sheets, or Notion. Suggested columns:

1. Program Name & Institution
2. City/State & Region
3. Program Type
   • University, Community, Community w/ University Affiliation
4. DO-Friendliness
   • “DOs in current residents? (Y/N, how many)”
   • “COMLEX accepted? Y/N”
   • “Prior AOA-legacy? Y/N”
5. Scores & Requirements
   • USMLE required? (Y/N)
   • COMLEX accepted? (Y/N)
   • Min score mentioned?
6. Program Size
   • Number of categorical positions/year
7. Clinical Features
   • Trauma level (I, II, III)
   • ICU exposure (months)
   • Case volume description (High/Moderate/Unknown)
8. Academic Environment
   • Presence of fellowships
   • Research opportunities mentioned (Y/N)
   • Recent fellowships gained by grads
9. Culture & Fit
   • Perceived vibe from website
   • Wellness/mentorship programs
10. Ties/Personal Factors
    • Geographic ties (Y/N and type)
    • Family/friends nearby
11. Tier (Reach/Target/Safety)
12. Priority Score (1–5)
    • Your subjective rating after research
13. Notes
    • Any red flags or compelling positives

This structure makes evaluating residency programs systematic rather than emotional.

Example of using your spreadsheet

Imagine you’re comparing two programs:

• Program X

  • City: Mid-sized Midwest city
  • DOs in each class, COMLEX only accepted
  • Level I trauma, high case volume
  • Strong community feel, minimal research
  • No in-house fellowships but grads occasionally match MIS/vascular elsewhere
    → Great for a DO wanting strong operative experience and broad general surgery, less ideal for an academic career.

• Program Y

  • City: Major coastal city
  • Roster mostly MDs, one DO in PGY5
  • Level I trauma, multiple fellowships (SICU, MIS, surg onc)
  • Heavy emphasis on research and publications
  • USMLE required; COMLEX not mentioned
    → Strong for academic aspirations and fellowship, but as a DO you’d need strong USMLE scores and a strong application to be competitive.

Having this laid out helps you decide: Do you prioritize location and academics, or DO-friendliness and operative experience?

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Going Beyond Websites: Deep-Dive Research Tactics

Once applications open and invitations start (or even before), deepen your research.

1. Talk to current residents (especially DOs)

Reach out via:

• Program contact emails (politely request to connect with a DO resident)
• Your school’s alumni who are current general surgery residents there
• Professional networking: conferences, virtual events, or LinkedIn

Ask targeted questions:

• “How supportive is the program of DO graduates?”
• “Do you feel treated differently as a DO in any way?”
• “How is the operative autonomy by PGY3–4?”
• “What does the program truly prioritize: service vs education vs research?”
• “What is the culture like among residents and attendings?”

2. Attend virtual or in-person open houses

Many programs do these pre-interview:

• Observe:
  • Whether DOs are represented among residents on the call
  • How faculty discuss education/wellness
  • Whether questions about COMLEX or DO applicants are welcomed

3. Confirm details before applying

For any program where the website is unclear (for example, regarding COMLEX acceptance), send a brief, professional email:

Dear [Program Coordinator/Director],

I am a fourth-year osteopathic medical student at [School Name] interested in applying to your general surgery residency. I currently have COMLEX Level 1 and 2 scores and [have/have not] taken USMLE.

I was wondering if your program considers applicants with COMLEX only, or if USMLE is required for consideration. Thank you for your time and clarification.

Sincerely,
[Your Name], OMS-IV

Their response (or lack of one) is data for your spreadsheet.

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FAQ: DO Graduate Program Research for General Surgery

1. Do I need USMLE to match into general surgery as a DO?

Not universally, but it expands your options.

• Some programs require USMLE; many will accept COMLEX.
• For highly competitive academic programs or certain regions, USMLE scores can significantly improve your chances.
• If you are early enough in training and aiming for a top-tier academic general surgery residency, strongly consider taking USMLE Step 2 if possible and if you can perform well.

2. How do I know if a program is truly DO-friendly?

Look for:

• Multiple DOs across different PGY levels on the roster.
• Explicit statements about accepting COMLEX and welcoming osteopathic graduates.
• Positive feedback from DO residents when you reach out.
• A history of matching DO graduates from your school or similar institutions.

One isolated DO in PGY5 could mean “they made an exception once”; multiple DOs over years suggests consistent DO-friendliness.

3. How many general surgery programs should I apply to as a DO?

It depends on your competitiveness, but many DOs applying in general surgery submit 60–80+ applications. Factors affecting your number:

• Strong scores, strong LORs, some research, and geographic flexibility → you may be safe with fewer.
• Lower scores, limited research, strict geographic preferences → apply more broadly.
• Always ensure your list includes a solid portion of DO-friendly community and mid-tier programs as safety options.

4. What’s the biggest mistake DO applicants make when researching programs?

Common pitfalls include:

• Ignoring DO-friendliness and overloading the list with programs that rarely or never take DOs.
• Overvaluing prestige/reputation and undervaluing operative experience and culture.
• Failing to distinguish between reach, target, and safety programs.
• Relying solely on anecdotes or forum chatter instead of objective data plus first-hand resident input.

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By combining objective data (FREIDA, program websites, NRMP reports), DO-specific insights (alumni outcomes, COMLEX policies, rosters), and real conversations with residents, you can create a targeted, realistic, and strategic list of programs.

As a DO graduate, you absolutely can build a strong career in general surgery. The key is not just “getting in” somewhere—it’s choosing programs intentionally so that your training, support, and opportunities align with your goals. With a structured approach to how to research residency programs, you put yourself in the best position for a successful surgery residency match and a sustainable, fulfilling surgical career.