Introduction: Osteopathic students question whether a dual degree will help them distinguish themselves among their peers in the National Residency Match. This paper analyzes the impact that a DO/MBA dual degree has on matching into a competitive residency.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study design via email, fourth year osteopathic students and alumni of Lincoln Memorial University were queried on dual degree obtainment, elements of their residency application, residency match outcome, and opinion on why an osteopathic student would pursue an MBA degree.

Results: DO/MBA applicants did not differ from DO-only applicants. DO/MBA and DO-only students had similar board exam scores, leadership experiences, volunteer hours, memberships in honor societies, and research opportunities. A Fisher exact test showed that neither degree track was statistically associated with placement into a more competitive residency (p= 0.7301).

Conclusion: Despite the increase in dual-degree osteopathic programs, such programs alone do not afford a match into a more competitive residency.