Gunners at Interviews

  • Thread starter Thread starter zimmie256
  • Start date Start date
Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

How many gunners have been among the fellow applicants you interviewed with?

  • 0

    Votes: 37 28.7%

  • 1-3

    Votes: 73 56.6%

  • 4-6

    Votes: 12 9.3%

  • 7-9

    Votes: 3 2.3%

  • 10+ (Yikes!)

    Votes: 4 3.1%
  • Total voters
    129
Z

zimmie256

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
How many suspected gunners have been among the fellow applicants you've interviewed with? Just curious what we're all getting into here... Haha
 
Personally I've run across 1.5 gunners so far... 1 for sure, 1 maybe, hence a total of 1.5
 
could you give a description of why you think so.
 
I think its hard to tell, everyone seems very uptight.
 
I definitely saw one, she kept trying to finish the tour guides sentences about stuff that an MS4 would definitely be more knowledgeable about and capable of conveying information about the school than a MS0.

She also kept turning to the applicant next to her and talking about all the stuff she knew about whatever the tour guide was talking about. She kept laughing real loud at the guide's and also speaking admissions personnel's jokes.

I think we all felt embarassed for her, she was definitely trying too hard. Gunners are easy to spot cuz they're so full of it that they are socially awkward. But then there are gunners in disguise who are so slick that they'll be like a family member to you as they gut you open. But this one chick, a gunner, but not trying to hide it at all.
 
I think there was one in my group. First he mentions that he had 4 interviews already. Then he finds every single moment he can mention big medical words or stuff from his research in front of the associate dean or just about anyone. And he seemed like a pompous d-bag as well.
 
I had a guy who mentioned several other interviews, and then in the information session asked about the procedures for withdrawing an acceptance (I'm still shocked he asked this question!) 😱
 
sentry said:
I had a guy who mentioned several other interviews, and then in the information session asked about the procedures for withdrawing an acceptance (I'm still shocked he asked this question!) 😱
Click to expand...

Dayam.
 
I haven't run in to any yet, but I've only had one interview. It was actually really nice. Everyone in the group was actually pleasant. I'm glad I didn't have to deal with any "gunners". Sincere and friendly people are much better.

This doesn't mean that I was the gunner does it?
 
Ted-dy BEAR said:
hey were you at my interview, cuz someone asked that at my last interview?
Click to expand...

Could be, it was pretty recent -- I had been wondering if any closet sdners were at my interviews 😎
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
sentry said:
I had a guy who mentioned several other interviews, and then in the information session asked about the procedures for withdrawing an acceptance (I'm still shocked he asked this question!) 😱
Click to expand...

Yikes.

Every time you think you know what people won't do, you end up surprised.

I mean, wow. 😱

Edit: oh, yeah, about what was actually asked: only one... maybe. Some folks were kind of quiet, but nobody obnoxiously self-important yet. It's been rather reassuring.
 
sentry said:
I had a guy who mentioned several other interviews, and then in the information session asked about the procedures for withdrawing an acceptance (I'm still shocked he asked this question!) 😱
Click to expand...

If I was the person he asked that to I would have said "You can leave, now."
 
Chuckwalla said:
If I was the person he asked that to I would have said "You can leave, now."
Click to expand...

How about, "Don't worry, you won't have to deal with that." :laugh:
 
jstuds_66 said:
I haven't run in to any yet, but I've only had one interview. It was actually really nice. Everyone in the group was actually pleasant. I'm glad I didn't have to deal with any "gunners". Sincere and friendly people are much better.

This doesn't mean that I was the gunner does it?
Click to expand...

🙂 I was just thinking the same thing.... esp since I saw Eternal's post and we interviewed on the same day (don't know if we were in the same group though!) and my husband ALWAYS complains about me finishing his sentences!!! 😱 It is a terrible habit - I know... I really hope he didn't mean me?!?!?! 😱 I'm really not a gunner - just impatient!

eternalrage said:
I definitely saw one, she kept trying to finish the tour guides sentences
Click to expand...
 
I've only gone to one interview so far at GW. But everyone was super nice we just chatted about stuff the whole time - it was great. No one too uptight or competitive.
 
I hope I didnt come across as a Gunner. I was the only person asking questions but no one else said anything. Sometimes I would ask a question just to break the silence. I was just very interested in the school. I am very personable so hopefully none of this came across as insincere.
 
Props to eternalrage for use of the term MS0 👍 I am cracking up :laugh:

I cannot believe someone would ask about withdrawl procedures. I know in theory they want you to feel like you can ask anything but that is just way rude and arrogant.

About the poll: Does it count if your student interviewer is a gunner? Cause that could happen too. Man that would be a nightmare.
 
sentry said:
I had a guy who mentioned several other interviews, and then in the information session asked about the procedures for withdrawing an acceptance (I'm still shocked he asked this question!) 😱
Click to expand...

Wow😱
 
The student interviewer as a gunner happened to me! She was really nice, and I thought the interview went well. But after the interview, one of my friends who is in her class told me that she was the biggest gunner in the class, and I started worrying bigtime about my answer to one of her Qs.

"Are you a gunner?"

"No. Make no mistake I want to excel, but my understanding is that gunners try to do well at the expense of other students. We are all studying to be doctors, and one of the traits a doctor must have is compassion. That shouldn't be limited to our patients; we should also be compassionate towards our fellow students. How I treat my classmates is just as important to me as the grades I get."

I hope that if she considered herself a gunner she didn't think I was insulting her!
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
The one I observed who was definitely a gunner complained about how many interviews she had (sorry for your tremendous burden!) and asked about when is it too early to start turning them down. Now don't get me wrong, I know it's not easy to miss lots of class/work, but she brought it up numerous times throughout the day... basically whenever she had a new audience.

Same girl also repeatedly put down an undergrad institution, knowing full well that several people in our tour group were attending that school. Talking about how she could've gone there, but decided not to, then started naming problems she saw with the school. So obnoxious.

Oh yeah, she did the finishing sentences thing... of other applicants, our tour guide, even the freakin dean of admissions!
 
zimmie256 said:
Same girl also repeatedly put down an undergrad institution, knowing full well that several people in our tour group were attending that school. Talking about how she could've gone there, but decided not to, then started naming problems she saw with the school. So obnoxious.
Click to expand...


wow. should have punched her in the ovaries.
 
For those like me who had no idea what gunner is untill now:
wiki defi....

"The word has also several uses in non-military contexts.
A gunner, especially in medical schools, dental schools, law schools, and other professional schools, is a person who is competitive, overly-ambitious and often excitedly volunteers oral answers in class that are, by turns, incorrect, off-topic, or specifically designed to demonstrate the intellectual prowess of the person supplying them. A gunner will compromise his or her peer relationships in order to obtain recognition and praise from his or her instructors and superiors. This term is also starting to gain popularity among business schools, particularly those in New York. On rare occasions, gunners will undermine their own intellectual ability publicly to covertly hide their knowledge of a subject; this term can be considered an "undercover-gunner," which was coined at the University of California, Los Angeles to describe the competitive nature of highly intellectual students. Some schools, such as University of Virginia, take a vote of the student body every year to establish "gunner status". For example, this year's "gunner of the 1L class" is Mr. Dave Scannell."

:laugh: undercover gunner wtf?

OMG sometimes i think i am an undercover gunner. kill me please +pissed+
especially when i am frustrated... moooooo!!!!
 
mcat_study said:
For those like me who had no idea what gunner is untill now:
wiki defi....

"The word has also several uses in non-military contexts.
A gunner, especially in medical schools, dental schools, law schools, and other professional schools, is a person who is competitive, overly-ambitious and often excitedly volunteers oral answers in class that are, by turns, incorrect, off-topic, or specifically designed to demonstrate the intellectual prowess of the person supplying them. A gunner will compromise his or her peer relationships in order to obtain recognition and praise from his or her instructors and superiors. This term is also starting to gain popularity among business schools, particularly those in New York. On rare occasions, gunners will undermine their own intellectual ability publicly to covertly hide their knowledge of a subject; this term can be considered an "undercover-gunner," which was coined at the University of California, Los Angeles to describe the competitive nature of highly intellectual students. Some schools, such as University of Virginia, take a vote of the student body every year to establish "gunner status". For example, this year's "gunner of the 1L class" is Mr. Dave Scannell."

:laugh: undercover gunner wtf?

OMG sometimes i think i am an undercover gunner. kill me please +pissed+
especially when i am frustrated... moooooo!!!!
Click to expand...

Seriously - from the context I figured it out - but I've never heard it before. I think if like that other person I had an interviewer ask me if I were a "gunner" I would have stared blankly and said - "I'm sorry - a what???"
 
braluk said:
point: if you ever at any point had to question if you were a gunner, odds are, you're a gunner
Click to expand...

Even if I didn't know what a gunner was?

I avoid socialization with the vast majority of my pre-med counterparts - how would I know what a gunner was?

🙁 I'm a gunner.
 
No gunners at my one interview. The entire group was extremely friendly, always smiling, always wishing each other luck. Even if there are any, they can only bother you if you are subconsciously looking out for them or letting them get to you.
 
I *think* there was one or two at my San Antonio interview. They were just WAY too uptight at the social the night before; they kept asking question to the med students that sounded like they came out of some "How to Get into Med School" book. And then they kept talking about Southwestern 🙄 I kept thinking, "If anyone ever needed a beer, it's those two."
 
It's funny - I ran into a guy at an interview at a school that I didn't end up attending, and I thought he was a major tool. Showed up my first day of orientation, and who did I see? :laugh: Same guy. Turns out he was probably just nervous, because he's actually a cool guy. So, don't judge right away - you're probably wrong.
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
There was one at my Southwestern interview, possibly. Just kept saying very loudly and repeatedly "I GO TO COLUMBIA, SEE?? SO I'VE ALREADY INTERVIEWED THERE." Five minutes later..."YES, I GO TO COLUMBIA." Five minutes later..."I DID RESEARCH AT COLUMBIA." (Caps are used to indicate the LOUDNESS of this individual)

Very obnoxious/pretentious.

But for the most part, everyone at my interviews looks fairly normal. Even at Southwestern, where you would expect to meet more "competitive" or as they say here "gunner" applicants.
 
arrogant =/= gunner

I never met a gunner at anyone of my interview. If anything, people were trying to be anti-gunner.
 
I couldn't believe the first words I heard out of some girl's mouth when I sat down at the table with breakfast today at UTMB were actually "friendly competition" followed by a very fake "friendly" smile. I was like chill already. We just got here!

Other than her, I don't think I've met any other gunners. But I hate it when people bring up rival/more presitgious schools on interview day at a particular school as being their top choice. That is so rude and has no place when you're interviewing to be admitted to the school that is feeding you, pampering you, and generally trying to impress you at that very moment! Man that annoys me. 😡 😡 😡
 
Caristra said:
Props to eternalrage for use of the term MS0 👍 I am cracking up :laugh:

I cannot believe someone would ask about withdrawl procedures. I know in theory they want you to feel like you can ask anything but that is just way rude and arrogant.

About the poll: Does it count if your student interviewer is a gunner? Cause that could happen too. Man that would be a nightmare.
Click to expand...

That new coinage is cracking me up too. :laugh:

For those who care to know: "I'm GuzzyRon, MS0, Yet-To-Be-Determined School of Medicine." 😀
 
So far I've had two interviews and met one gunner. For the most part everyone has been really nice, but this guy was obnoxious - finishing people's sentences, and jumping in and answering some of the questions the other interviewees asked our med student tour guides. Our tour guides looked rather taken aback.
 
Our interviews don't start for a couple of months so I'm still just formulating answers to possible questions.

I hadn't even stopped to consider the folks I'd be interviewing with. So my question for you interviewing folks is-how are you dealing with these people? I think my gut reaction would be to roll my eyes at first, soon followed by physical violence. Has anyone found a strategy for keeping your cool?
 
Darlaa said:
Our interviews don't start for a couple of months so I'm still just formulating answers to possible questions.

I hadn't even stopped to consider the folks I'd be interviewing with. So my question for you interviewing folks is-how are you dealing with these people? I think my gut reaction would be to roll my eyes at first, soon followed by physical violence. Has anyone found a strategy for keeping your cool?
Click to expand...
Laugh to yourself at their slim prospects for acceptance? That's what I do.
 
Anastasis said:
Laugh to yourself at their slim prospects for acceptance? That's what I do.
Click to expand...

Oooo that would definately work! Picture them TAing freshman chemistry **forever** and smile. Thanks Anastasis 😀
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
I met a gunner at an interview. Early in the season, very early, and he's asking poeple what other places they've interviewed at, mentioning he's already interviewed at 4 schools, asking what school they liked best so far. Whatever, I just ignore it, and didn't answer him at all.
 
at the interviews i've been to, lots of people talk about where else they've interviewed, but it honestly doesn't seem competitive. i think we're all just curious. for those of us who are out of school and don't have access to other people going through this crazy process, it really helps to talk about issues/questions/concerns with fellow interviewees. if someone's been to school x and you're interviewing there next week, they're usually nice enough to give some advice about it. or, if you were both at school x last month, you can talk about what you liked/did not like about it. also, you do start running into the same people over and over again, so talking about other interviews becomes unavoidable as you explain to the group how you know the other guy. i think everyone i've met so far has been really careful to remind people without other interviews that it is super early, and most of us with multiple interviews were just lucky with timing.
i guess what i'm trying to say is that not everyone who talks about having other interviews is attempting to be a gunner, usually they're trying to make friends and hear more about schools. and don't feel intimidated by someone who has been to 8 interviews if you're at your first, they can be a great resource for you.
good luck guys!
 
musiclink213 said:
I met a gunner at an interview. Early in the season, very early, and he's asking poeple what other places they've interviewed at, mentioning he's already interviewed at 4 schools, asking what school they liked best so far. Whatever, I just ignore it, and didn't answer him at all.
Click to expand...

I'm usually a little inclined to ask these questions, too... not out of any "look at me, aren't I cool, I got an interview at school X" impulse, but just to find out people's impressions, what they've liked, etc... curiosity, really. It gets me into trouble sometimes.
 
Pemberley said:
I'm usually a little inclined to ask these questions, too... not out of any "look at me, aren't I cool, I got an interview at school X" impulse, but just to find out people's impressions, what they've liked, etc... curiosity, really. It gets me into trouble sometimes.
Click to expand...

I think a lot of it sounds as though they're trying to brag though. The way this kid said it, he offered the info first that he had 4 interviews already, and he liked this school best, and his interviewer at another school was a jackass. Then he asked everyone else how many they had and where they went. I don't know, just his whole overall personality just rubbed me the wrong way.
 
hmmm
my theory is to never ask people/friends sensitive stuff like GPA, interviews, or how much they make, the list goes on.....:meanie: . they will tell me if they want to. sometimes they tell me more than i need to know:meanie:

this worked great so far.
 
If asking about the other person's interviews etc... is "Gunner-ish" paint me a gunner. We are at a med school interview, we obviously have that in common so in order to break the ice you start talking about this. I don't see the problem with it.
 
I'm suspicious of every pre-med I meet as being a gunner until they prove otherwise. They can talk & act like 'nice, normal people' but until I get some serious evidence, I don't trust 'em one bit! 😉

Why?? Because gunners have this way of making you think they aren't gunners, then you let down your guard, and WHAM! You're burned!! So I will just watch, and wait, and see...
 
musiclink213 said:
I met a gunner at an interview. Early in the season, very early, and he's asking poeple what other places they've interviewed at, mentioning he's already interviewed at 4 schools, asking what school they liked best so far. Whatever, I just ignore it, and didn't answer him at all.
Click to expand...

Unless his tone was arrogant, I don't think he was being a "gunner" at all. Perhaps he was trying to exchange advise about schools because he wants to help others and be helped. But I wasn't there...
 
baylormed said:
There was one at my Southwestern interview, possibly. Just kept saying very loudly and repeatedly "I GO TO COLUMBIA, SEE?? SO I'VE ALREADY INTERVIEWED THERE." Five minutes later..."YES, I GO TO COLUMBIA." Five minutes later..."I DID RESEARCH AT COLUMBIA." (Caps are used to indicate the LOUDNESS of this individual)

Very obnoxious/pretentious.

But for the most part, everyone at my interviews looks fairly normal. Even at Southwestern, where you would expect to meet more "competitive" or as they say here "gunner" applicants.
Click to expand...

Did you interview on 9/30 at Southwestern? If you did, I know exactly who you are talking about...That's hilarious. Anyways, we're friends, so be nice. Hehe.
 
TPROrgoTutor said:
If asking about the other person's interviews etc... is "Gunner-ish" paint me a gunner. We are at a med school interview, we obviously have that in common so in order to break the ice you start talking about this. I don't see the problem with it.
Click to expand...

asking: "how did your interview go?" is fine.
asking: "how many interviews you've had so far, and where?" is not tactful in my mind, to say the least, especially with a person you;ve just met. Also Bragging about your whole deal with admissions process is stupid---i think.
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

G
Interviews and Decisions At This Point In the Cycle
Replies
1
Views
2K
wysdoc
wysdoc
D
Interviews
Replies
2
Views
2K
jonjonbon
J
loophua
withdrawing from interviews?
Replies
3
Views
860
Moko
Moko
P
Very brief interviews?
Replies
9
Views
1K
Emperor Napoleon
E
M
Lucky to have an A but at this point in the cycle what're the chances of more interviews
Replies
7
Views
1K
AJ25
AJ25
Top Bottom