Question for medical students (or for those who know about residencies)

I haven't started medical school yet but I would love to understand this better and sorry if this is a stupid question. With the DO and MD residencies merging together, how would taking the STEPs as a DO student be beneficial? Wouldn't we be considered for the MD spots without taking the USMLE since the residencies merged? and also, can the core rotations be done at a hospital of our choice, or are they school-dependent?
Source: Student Doctor Network - Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: Tags: Pre-Medical (DO) Source Type: forums