Essential Guide for DO Graduates: Researching Med-Peds Residency Programs

Understanding the Med-Peds Landscape as a DO Graduate

Medicine-Pediatrics (Med-Peds) is uniquely positioned for DO graduates who value holistic, lifespan-oriented care. But the osteopathic residency match landscape has changed significantly with the single accreditation system, and that affects how you should research programs.

Before diving into specific tools and tactics, you need clarity on three big-picture questions:

1. What does a “good fit” Med-Peds program look like for a DO graduate?
2. How does the osteopathic residency match environment affect your strategy?
3. What are realistic goals based on your application profile?

What “Fit” Means in Med-Peds (Beyond Name Recognition)

For DO graduates, “fit” has several dimensions:

• Educational: Strong combined training in both internal medicine and pediatrics, not one overshadowing the other.
• Osteopathic-Friendliness: A track record of interviewing and matching DO graduates, and faculty who understand and value osteopathic training.
• Culture: Supportive, not malignant; residents appear genuinely happy and respected.
• Career Preparation: Graduates successfully match into your type of fellowship (if desired) or land the kind of jobs you want (primary care, hospitalist, global health, academic medicine, etc.).
• Lifestyle & Wellness: Reasonable workload, call frequency, and visible wellness initiatives.
• Location Fit: Cost of living, support system, partner considerations, and long-term “could I live here for 4 years?” instincts.

Think of “fit” as a checklist you refine over time. Your program research strategy is about systematically collecting enough information to fill in that checklist for each program.

How the Single Accreditation System Affects DO Graduates

With the merger of AOA and ACGME accreditation:

• There are no longer separate osteopathic programs; all Med-Peds residencies are ACGME-accredited.
• Many historically MD-dominant programs now consider DO applicants more routinely—but not all of them treat DOs equally.
• Some programs have added Osteopathic Recognition or have dedicated osteopathic tracks or clinics.
• COMLEX acceptance is more common, but some programs still prefer or require USMLE for DO applicants.

As a DO graduate, your osteopathic residency match success in Med-Peds depends heavily on choosing programs that:

• Have a history of matching DOs.
• Explicitly welcome COMLEX (or at least state their policy clearly).
• Have faculty or leadership familiar with osteopathic training.

Understanding this environment will sharpen your approach to evaluating residency programs from the start.

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Building Your Program List: Where and How to Start

The core of learning how to research residency programs is knowing which tools to use, in what order, and how to interpret the information you find.

Step 1: Start with Official Data Sources

1. ACGME and Program Websites

Begin with the ACGME list of accredited Med-Peds programs and cross-check with each program’s own website. Focus on:

• Number of Med-Peds positions per year
• Affiliated hospitals (children’s hospital? VA? community sites?)
• Program leadership: PD and associate PD backgrounds (any DOs?)
• Current Med-Peds resident roster (count how many DOs)
• Rotations structure (balance of medicine vs pediatrics; clinic continuity)
• Optional tracks or emphasis (global health, advocacy, hospital medicine, underserved care, QI, research)

Take notes in a spreadsheet—think of this as your master program research document.

2. NRMP Charting Outcomes & Program Director Surveys

For a DO graduate, these documents can help you gauge competitiveness:

• Typical Step 1/2 and COMLEX scores of matched applicants
• Percentage of DOs in each specialty
• What Med-Peds PDs value most: letters, clerkship performance, research, etc.

Use this to set expectations:

• If your scores are at or above the matched Med-Peds average, you can aim for a broader mix of programs.
• If scores are below, you may need more DO-friendly programs and a slightly larger list.

Step 2: Identify DO-Friendly Med-Peds Programs

A central component of your program research strategy as a DO graduate is identifying places that reliably interview and rank DOs.

Look for:

• Current residents: Does the website show DO graduates in the last 3–5 classes?
• Faculty: Are there attending physicians with DO degrees in internal medicine, pediatrics, or Med-Peds?
• Osteopathic Recognition: Even if not in Med-Peds specifically, the presence of osteopathic recognition in affiliated IM or FM programs often signals a DO-welcoming culture.
• Explicit DO language: Some programs explicitly state “We welcome DO applicants and accept COMLEX” on their website.

If a program has zero DO residents over several years, that’s not an automatic red flag, but it means you should dig deeper or approach more cautiously.

Step 3: Use Third-Party Tools Thoughtfully

Use online databases only as supplements, not the sole basis of your decisions:

• FREIDA, Residency Explorer, AMA or AAMC tools:
  Provide filters (region, size, type of hospital) and sometimes offer insight into average board scores, research experiences, etc.
• Program review websites & forums:
  Reddit, Student Doctor Network, or specialty-specific boards can provide anecdotes but are biased and incomplete. Use them to generate questions to ask—not to form final judgments.

Actionable tip: For each program you consider, make a quick “snapshot” in your spreadsheet:

• DO presence: high / medium / low / unclear
• Location: urban / suburban / rural; approximate COL
• Clinical structure: strong peds? strong medicine? balanced?
• First-glance vibe: green / yellow / red

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Deep-Dive: How to Evaluate Med-Peds Programs as a DO

Once you have a preliminary list, the next step is evaluating residency programs more deeply to turn that list into a realistic rank of where to apply.

1. Curriculum and Training Environment

For Med-Peds specifically, ask:

• Balance of medicine and pediatrics:
  Is it a true 50/50 program over four years? Are rotations integrated (alternating blocks) or separated (long stretches of one discipline)?
• Continuity clinic:
  How is your Med-Peds clinic structured? Are you seeing both adults and children regularly? Are attendings Med-Peds trained?
• Inpatient vs outpatient:
  Does the program prepare you for the job you envision (hospitalist vs primary care vs fellowship)?
• Special tracks:
  Global health, advocacy, medical education, quality improvement, leadership—important if you have specific interests.

As a DO graduate, also consider:

• Presence of any osteopathic-focused curriculum (OMM clinic opportunities, osteopathic seminars, etc.).
• Whether there’s openness to you maintaining OMT skills in clinic or electives.

2. Clinical Sites and Patient Populations

The hospitals and clinics you rotate through shape your training:

• Tertiary academic center vs community hospitals:
  Academic sites often mean more complex pathology and fellowship exposure; community sites may offer more autonomy and broad, practical experience.
• Children’s hospital affiliation:
  Strong pediatric exposure often hinges on whether there is a dedicated children’s hospital and its reputation.
• Diversity and underserved care:
  If you value osteopathic principles of whole-person, community-focused care, programs with robust underserved or safety-net experiences can be particularly aligned.

For each program, ask:

• “Where do residents spend most of their time?”
• “What unique populations do they serve (rural, urban underserved, immigrant/refugee, etc.)?”

3. DO Friendliness and Culture

Program culture is crucial, especially for a DO graduate navigating the osteopathic residency match landscape.

Key things to assess:

• How many DOs are in the current Med-Peds classes?
  A single DO every few years may indicate a mild barrier; multiple DOs in each class is a strong green flag.
• Faculty attitudes:
  On open houses or email exchanges, do they acknowledge and respect osteopathic training? Do they know what COMLEX is? Do they ask thoughtful questions about your background?
• Resident testimonials:
  During virtual or in-person sessions, ask directly:
  “As a DO, have you felt fully included and supported?” or “How have DO graduates done from this program?”

4. Board Exams: COMLEX vs USMLE

Different Med-Peds programs have different expectations:

• Some accept COMLEX alone.
• Many strongly prefer or require USMLE, especially for more competitive academic programs.

On each program’s website or in ERAS listings, check:

• “We accept COMLEX only” vs “USMLE required/recommended.”
• If unclear, email the program coordinator with a concise question:
  • “As a DO applicant, will COMLEX-only scores be fully considered for your Med-Peds residency, or do you require USMLE?”

Your program research strategy should mark:

• Green: Explicitly accept COMLEX-only and have matched DOs.
• Yellow: Accept COMLEX but historically MD-heavy; or “prefer” USMLE.
• Red: Explicitly require USMLE and rarely or never match DOs.

If you only have COMLEX, this categorization is essential for building a realistic application list.

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Designing a Program Research Strategy That Works

Researching programs can easily become overwhelming. A structured approach will keep you efficient and focused.

Step 1: Define Your Personal Priorities

Before you compare programs, clarify what matters most to you. Rank or weight these:

• Geographic region(s) (family, partner job, lifestyle)
• Program size (small, medium, large)
• Academic vs community focus
• Fellowship vs primary-care orientation
• DO-friendliness (critical for many DO graduates)
• Cost of living and local support system
• Specific interests (global health, advocacy, medical education, hospitalist, med peds combined practice)

Write out your top 5 non-negotiables and nice-to-haves. This will guide your decisions when information conflicts.

Step 2: Build and Refine Your Spreadsheet

Create columns such as:

• Program Name
• City/State/Region
• DO Residents (Y/N; approximate count)
• COMLEX Acceptance (Yes/No/Prefer USMLE)
• Size (number of Med-Peds spots per year)
• Academic vs Community
• Children’s Hospital (Y/N)
• Special Tracks (global health, advocacy, etc.)
• Cost of Living (Low/Medium/High)
• First Impressions (1–5)
• Notes/Questions

Update this regularly as you research. This becomes your dynamic program atlas.

Step 3: Use Multiple “Passes” of Research

Trying to deeply evaluate every possible Med-Peds program from the start is too much. Instead, work in phases:

1. First pass (broad scan):
   • Identify all Med-Peds programs that meet your geographic and basic criteria.
   • Remove clear mismatches (e.g., states you can’t live in, or programs requiring USMLE if you have COMLEX only).
2. Second pass (fit and DO-friendliness):
   • Examine resident rosters for DO presence.
   • Review websites for curriculum and culture clues.
   • Mark clear green/yellow/red flags.
3. Third pass (fine-tuning):
   • Attend virtual info sessions.
   • Reach out to residents or alumni.
   • Narrow your list to a realistic set of places you’ll actually apply to.

Step 4: Aim for a Balanced Application List

For Med-Peds, a general guideline (adjust based on your competitiveness) might be:

• Total programs applied to:
  Many DO graduates target around 15–30 Med-Peds programs, adjusting for personal risk tolerance and geographic limitations.
• Mix of competitiveness:
  • Reach programs: ~20–30%
  • Target programs: ~40–60%
  • Safer/DO-strong programs: ~20–30%

“Reach” vs “safer” isn’t just about brand name—it’s about:

• Historic DO match rates
• Board score ranges
• Research intensity vs your CV
• Fellowship outcomes expectations vs your profile

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Using People and Experiences to Inform Your Choices

Numbers and websites only tell part of the story. Direct contact with people and personal experience—even virtual—are critical for evaluating residency programs accurately.

Leverage Your DO Network

Your osteopathic school and alumni are powerful resources:

• Ask your Med-Peds or IM/Peds faculty:
  • Which Med-Peds programs have historically interviewed or matched DOs from your school?
  • Are there particular PDs or programs they know are DO-friendly?
• Connect with DO alumni in Med-Peds:
  • Ask where they interviewed and what the culture was like.
  • Request their impressions of how DOs were treated at different programs.

Even one 15-minute conversation can save you from applying to programs that are not realistic or aligned with your goals.

Attend Virtual Open Houses and Q&A Sessions

Most programs now host virtual events where you can:

• Meet the PD, APDs, and residents.
• Hear about curriculum, culture, wellness, and diversity efforts.
• Ask questions about DO acceptance, COMLEX, and past DO matches.

Prepare a few DO-specific questions, for example:

• “How many DO residents do you currently have in your Med-Peds program?”
• “How are DO graduates integrated and supported in your residency?”
• “Do you accept COMLEX-only applicants, and how are their scores evaluated?”

Take notes immediately after each session so you can compare programs later.

Consider Audition or Sub-Internship Rotations (When Feasible)

If your schedule and finances allow, a Med-Peds or combined inpatient rotation can provide first-hand exposure. For DO graduates, this can:

• Demonstrate your clinical ability and work ethic directly to the program.
• Help overcome any unconscious bias about DO training if it exists.
• Clarify whether the Med-Peds residents and faculty truly feel like “your people.”

When choosing an away rotation:

• Prioritize programs that are plausible matches (not only ultra-reach).
• Check whether they commonly host DO students or have formal Med-Peds sub-I opportunities.

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Putting It All Together: Example Workflow for a DO Grad Targeting Med-Peds

Here’s a concrete example of how a DO graduate might structure their program research strategy for the medicine pediatrics match:

1. Week 1–2: Landscape Overview

   • List all Med-Peds programs from ACGME.
   • Filter by desired regions (e.g., Midwest + Southeast).
   • Remove programs requiring USMLE if you have COMLEX only.

2. Week 3–4: DO-Friendliness Screening

   • Visit each program’s website and resident page.
   • Mark presence or absence of DOs in recent classes.
   • Create categories: clearly DO-friendly, somewhat DO-friendly, unclear.

3. Week 5–6: Curriculum and Career Fit

   • For your top 30–40 programs, examine:
     • Curriculum structure (rotation schedule).
     • Children’s hospital/VA/community site mix.
     • Tracks in your areas of interest (e.g., global health).
     • Fellowship or career outcomes for recent grads.
   • Drop programs that clearly don’t align with your goals.

4. Week 7–8: Human Intelligence Gathering

   • Attend 5–10 virtual open houses.
   • Email 2–3 DO alumni in Med-Peds for candid insights.
   • Ask your home IM and peds faculty about reputations of specific programs.

5. Week 9–10: Final List Creation

   • Build a final application list of ~15–30 programs:
     • ~20–30% reach (academic, research-heavy, or historically MD-dominant but show some DO openness).
     • ~40–60% target (moderate competition, DO-friendly track record).
     • ~20–30% safer (strong DO representation, community or hybrid programs, somewhat lower score thresholds).
   • Double-check COMLEX/USMLE policies and any special application requirements.

By the time you submit ERAS, you don’t just have names of programs—you have a rational, evidence-based list constructed around your strengths, values, and DO background.

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FAQs: Researching Med-Peds Residency Programs as a DO Graduate

1. How many Med-Peds programs should a DO graduate apply to?

The right number depends on your competitiveness (board scores, grades, research, letters) and geographic flexibility. Many DO graduates aim for 15–30 Med-Peds programs, with a mix of reach, target, and safer options. If you have significant geographic restrictions or lower board scores, you may lean toward the higher end of that range, with a strong emphasis on historically DO-friendly programs.

2. Can I match into Med-Peds with COMLEX only, without USMLE?

Yes, it’s possible, but your options may be more limited. Some Med-Peds programs explicitly accept COMLEX-only applicants and have matched DOs successfully. Others require or strongly prefer USMLE, especially more competitive academic centers. When you research programs, carefully check their stated exam requirements and email coordinators when it’s unclear. Build your application list with a focus on programs that explicitly accept COMLEX and have current DO residents.

3. How do I tell if a Med-Peds program is truly DO-friendly?

Look for multiple data points:

• Current and recent residents include several DOs, not just one every few years.
• Faculty or leadership include DO attendings in IM, peds, or Med-Peds.
• The program explicitly welcomes DO applicants and clarifies their exam policy.
• Conversations with residents and alumni reveal that DOs have been fully integrated, matched into fellowships, and treated as equals. No single factor is definitive, but a consistent pattern across these areas usually indicates a genuinely DO-friendly environment.

4. How can I research residency programs efficiently without burning out?

Use a structured, phased approach and lean on tools:

• Start with a broad list filtered by geography and exam requirements.
• Use a spreadsheet to organize data and notes.
• Conduct multiple passes of increasing depth rather than trying to deeply investigate every program at once.
• Integrate information from official sources (ACGME, program websites), your DO network, and virtual events. Batch your research into short, focused sessions (e.g., 60–90 minutes at a time) and set weekly goals. This approach lets you cover many programs while still being thorough and intentional.

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By approaching the medicine pediatrics match with a deliberate, data-informed program research strategy tailored to your DO background, you significantly improve your chances of landing in a Med-Peds residency where you’ll thrive—clinically, academically, and personally.