What is a gunner?

[metalgearHMN]

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I'm somewhat iffy on this term. I've previously believed it to be an individual who strives for very high grades and test scores during their academic career. However, I recently read a sentence which alluded to the fact that "gunners" strive for those scores at the expense of their fellow students (i.e. not sharing notes, or explaining topics to classmates). So what is the real, agreed-upon meaning of the word "gunner"?

 

[xanthomondo]

I'm somewhat iffy on this term. I've previously believed it to be an individual who strives for very high grades and test scores during their academic career. However, I recently read a sentence which alluded to the fact that "gunners" strive for those scores at the expense of their fellow students (i.e. not sharing notes, or explaining topics to classmates). So what is the real, agreed-upon meaning of the word "gunner"?

one who guns?

 

[Krasnadar]

I'm somewhat iffy on this term. I've previously believed it to be an individual who strives for very high grades and test scores during their academic career. However, I recently read a sentence which alluded to the fact that "gunners" strive for those scores at the expense of their fellow students (i.e. not sharing notes, or explaining topics to classmates). So what is the real, agreed-upon meaning of the word "gunner"?

I think you've got it down in the student 'gunner' sense, a real gunner is like xantho said .. one who guns

 

[brianmartin]

It will be that one person who alway tries *to get noticed* in class, you know the ones. They are trying to get a slightly better letter from the ochem professor, or they are doing the extra credit paper for physics. Maybe they are also shadowing more than you. They're probably better looking than you and have cooler shoes.

Oh and question askers...yes, they ask vague questions during class like, "So, I understand [insert what prof just said], but what about [insert special case that doesn't really require a special answer, just a rehash]?" To the point where your classmates next to you start whispering before class, "can you believe that guy?"

Basically a gunner is always looking out for #1, and that's it. They won't ever ask you what you're doing and what *you* are up to, because it's all about them.

 

[Piyush]

You give a guy a nice shiny machine gun, and a belt of ammo, and a trigger happy finger, now is he gonna care about anyone else? Ofcourse not...thats what a gunner does.

 

[UFMed]

It will be that one person who alway tries *to get noticed* in class, you know the ones. They are trying to get a slightly better letter from the ochem professor, or they are doing the extra credit paper for physics. Maybe they are also shadowing more than you. They're probably better looking than you and have cooler shoes.

Oh and question askers...yes, they ask vague questions during class like, "So, I understand [insert what prof just said], but what about [insert special case that doesn't really require a special answer, just a rehash]?" To the point where your classmates next to you start whispering before class, "can you believe that guy?"

Basically a gunner is always looking out for #1, and that's it. They won't ever ask you what you're doing and what *you* are up to, because it's all about them.

Well put.

A gunner also has the tendency of asking a lot of questions on your performance, usually followed by how freakishly awesome they did. If you outperformed them, like on a test, they will either make up an excuse as to why they couldn't do better, or just flat out lie to make you feel inferior. Furthermore, this is usually the person that runs for an officer position in your Premed AMSA or health club, even though you have never seen them at any club-related events, s/he will usually lose and then never show his/her face ever again, and proceed to talk massive amounts of crap about everyone who is in that particular club. They will never ask for help, and they will try to explain stuff to you even though you've never asked for their assistance/advice. They just want to flex their muscles and put you in your place.

In conclusion, they are just really really competitive.

 

[student12x]

What you just described, well thats me!! lol

 

[Vihsadas]

Is SDN like the 'Circle of Life' and I just wasn't informed? These thread topics seem to cycle every few weeks or so. We are teh Lion King.

 

[pakbabydoll]

my definition of gunner!
gunner before a test: Dude, I am ready to take this test and fail, I don't care.
gunner after getting test back: Dude, I only got a 97, WHAT? someone got a 98? she probably got the 98 because the professor likes her. Real life story!

 

[Aynsl156]

Is SDN like the 'Circle of Life' and I just wasn't informed? These thread topics seem to cycle every few weeks or so. We are teh Lion King.

I've noticed that too. I guess that's what you get for being around for too long.

 

[Anka]

"Gunner" is the term applied to anyone who does better than the person applying the term. Hence the variability in meaning.

Anka

 

[DoctorDreamer]

See, I think the term has different definitions to different people. I am the definition of a gunner to some and not one to others.

For instance, I ask questions, but only because I genuinely want the answers. I do the extra credit papers, but I do it so I don't have to kill myself on the final. I often set the curve, but I don't study a ridiculous amount, I just test well.

I care about my grades, and I'm very involved, and people who don't know me think that I must spend my entire life locked up in a study room (which I VERY rarely do at all).

BUT, I actually have a very active life, and while I want to do the best I'm capable of, not at other's expense. I often lead free tutoring sessions for students who ask, and share my notes and homework help with practically the entire class. I also generally do not share my grades unless people ask.

SO, I seem to be a gunner academically, but I lack the personal goal to destroy and demolish all others... Your call.

 

[Begaster]

I've never seen a gunner as an overachiever as much as someone who'll gun down anyone in their path to achieve. Like, the guy who'll contaminate the materials before a lab for everyone but his group, so only he can get a good result.

 

[UFMed]

See, I think the term has different definitions to different people. I am the definition of a gunner to some and not one to others.

For instance, I ask questions, but only because I genuinely want the answers. I do the extra credit papers, but I do it so I don't have to kill myself on the final. I often set the curve, but I don't study a ridiculous amount, I just test well.

I care about my grades, and I'm very involved, and people who don't know me think that I must spend my entire life locked up in a study room (which I VERY rarely do at all).

BUT, I actually have a very active life, and while I want to do the best I'm capable of, not at other's expense. I often lead free tutoring sessions for students who ask, and share my notes and homework help with practically the entire class. I also generally do not share my grades unless people ask.

SO, I seem to be a gunner academically, but I lack the personal goal to destroy and demolish all others... Your call.

You're not a gunner🙂. I don't think that being a great student/test taker automatically makes someone a gunner. Gunner's have to be "cut-throat" in my opinion- they have an inferioty complex which drives them to measure their success based on another's performance.

 

[beachblonde]

I've never seen a gunner as an overachiever as much as someone who'll gun down anyone in their path to achieve. Like, the guy who'll contaminate the materials before a lab for everyone but his group, so only he can get a good result.

exactly!

a gunner is the type of person who hides the article on reserve that everybody in class needs. or rips pages out of books so others can read it. or intentionally tries to show up his/her classmates. etc.

they may have good grades, but that's the least of it.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

Ppl actually do this crap? I have met some Cocky ppl that always try to outdo each other, but never someone who would sabotage someones lab project.

 

[beachblonde]

Ppl actually do this crap? I have met some Cocky ppl that always try to outdo each other, but never someone who would sabotage someones lab project.

I had somebody do something like that just last month. I needed a slide for an exam, and the jerk hid the slide from the entire class and lied about it.

 

[Piyush]

I've never seen a gunner as an overachiever as much as someone who'll gun down anyone in their path to achieve. Like, the guy who'll contaminate the materials before a lab for everyone but his group, so only he can get a good result.

Thats an awful thing to do...Anyone disagree? One good result amongst a class full of bad results is a error...If the whole class get bad results, then there must be something even wrong done my the good result group cause it wont make sence otherwise....

 

[ChubbyChaser]

I had somebody do something like that just last month. I needed a slide for an exam, and the jerk hid the slide from the entire class and lied about it.

What do ppl like this think they are accomplishing with all this bogus? It just pisses everyone else off, and its not like hiding a slide or messing up someones experiment is gonna increase their chances of getting accepted. Crazy!

 

[Lokhtar]

The guy in the front row who pretends to know more than the professor by asking him the stupidest question known to man, because he thinks he is showing off, but the professor goes easy on him because he doesn't want to embarrass the student? Or the guy who was an assistant nurse's assistant for a year, and now tells the professor that he knows everything there is to know about cell biology?

Yea, that's a gunner.

 

[MassTransport]

 

[ChubbyChaser]

Or the guy who was an assistant nurse's assistant for a year, and now tells the professor that he knows everything there is to know about cell biology?.

An assistant CNA, thats funny.

 

[sirachsong]

"Gunner" is the term applied to anyone who does better than the person applying the term. Hence the variability in meaning.

Anka

This is closer to the truth than most people like to admit. Kudos.

 

[0Complications]

"Gunner" is the term applied to anyone who does better than the person applying the term. Hence the variability in meaning.

Anka

👍

So true. Although, I think traditionally the term gunner is more indicative of someone who treads down others for their own advancement. If you get in someone's way they will "Gun" you down (i.e., do anything in their power to ensure that you fail and they succeed, usually unethically).

I do, however, think that on SDN many members interchangeably use the term "Gunner" to describe a person who does better than them. They usually follow it up with a thread that describes how much they hate pre-meds.

 

[sirachsong]

We're so going to be cyber-stomped in the face for those last two posts.

 

[0Complications]

We're so going to be cyber-stomped in the face for those last two posts.

They'll just call us gunners because they didn't say it first. 😉

 

[sirachsong]

Or...

"That's it. This thread is LOCKED."

 

[Geekchick921]

See, I think the term has different definitions to different people. I am the definition of a gunner to some and not one to others.

For instance, I ask questions, but only because I genuinely want the answers. I do the extra credit papers, but I do it so I don't have to kill myself on the final. I often set the curve, but I don't study a ridiculous amount, I just test well.

I care about my grades, and I'm very involved, and people who don't know me think that I must spend my entire life locked up in a study room (which I VERY rarely do at all).

BUT, I actually have a very active life, and while I want to do the best I'm capable of, not at other's expense. I often lead free tutoring sessions for students who ask, and share my notes and homework help with practically the entire class. I also generally do not share my grades unless people ask.

SO, I seem to be a gunner academically, but I lack the personal goal to destroy and demolish all others... Your call.

Me too, sweetie. I'm glad someone else feels the same way. I definitely fit some of these descriptions, but I've never tried to screw over anyone else in my class to get ahead. Frankly, I don't think I've ever needed to, and if I ever gave anyone a hard time, it would because they were a dick to me, not because I was trying to sabotage their grades.

 

[CigarTragic]

From an MS1:

It is discussed to the point where it is beaten to the ground with a stick on a daily basis. It turns into a goddamn witch hunt sometimes. I sense insecurity on the part of the people labelling other classmates who simply work hard, have different learning styles from them, are natural leaders, or do well on exams as "gunners", though obviously there are a select few who go WAY above and beyond all that.

Otherwise, be who you are and who you want to be. Unapologetic. If someone flat out calls you a gunner, tell them to grow the hell up and worry about themselves, not you.

 

[brianmartin]

I sense insecurity on the part of the people labelling other classmates who simply work hard

I sense there are a few gunners in this thread trying to convince themselves they are not gunners, when in fact they are the biggest gunners. It's not just "screwing your classmates." That's extremely rare. It's more an air of superiority. They are always better than you, always doing more, always more altruistic, superior people that are just "misunderstood" apparently. To me gunners are those extremely hyper people who have a huge list of activities that are all career-oriented, who you'd never hang out with outside of class or a professional obligation. That's not to say they are bad people at all, but I think they tend to alienate people who aren't directly involved with their many professional/academic activities. Overall I'd say gunners take themselves extremely seriously and that can be off-putting to some.

 

[xanthomondo]

I've noticed that too. I guess that's what you get for being around for too long.

lol 9 months, 417 posts, and around too long eeh?

 

[Law2Doc]

I'm somewhat iffy on this term. I've previously believed it to be an individual who strives for very high grades and test scores during their academic career. However, I recently read a sentence which alluded to the fact that "gunners" strive for those scores at the expense of their fellow students (i.e. not sharing notes, or explaining topics to classmates). So what is the real, agreed-upon meaning of the word "gunner"?

This gets asked a lot so you can search and find many definitions. A gunner is not someone who just works hard and does well. That is a misuse of the term (that people misuse the term doesn't mean it has multiple defiitions, BTW). A gunner is someone who does well at the expense of others. The "at the expense of others" part of the definition is really the heart of the definition -- where the "gun" comes in. Gunner is a very negative term, the antithesis of a slacker, which is also a non-flattering term.
The true gunner is someone who sees others in his class as the enemy and only believes that he can get ahead by stepping on others. In law school the true gunners were the ones who ripped out important pages in library books after using them. In med school, they tend to be the ones who ask lots of questions during classmates PBL presentations or on rounds to show them up, not be willing to share notes, and overall not play fair. They are usually covert, and sometimes even will circulate around resources they have already found useless before each test, in the hopes that people will both waste time with it and also to seem like they are willing to share things. You don't see all that many, but one or two crop up and are all it takes.

 

[CigarTragic]

Overall I'd say gunners take themselves extremely seriously and that can be off-putting to some.

I agree with that statement... but be careful with that.

At least from my experience, the first few months of medical school can be a very strange transition for some people that coincides with unfortunate things in their life beyond their control. Don't be too quick to judge... I always try to remember that an eccentric / stressed classmate I see day-to-day in the hallway for a minute or two might be dealing with other personal problems in their life that none of us are aware of.

 

[Aynsl156]

lol 9 months, 417 posts, and around too long eeh?

I was talking about you, you old fart.😀

 

[LittleRocker]

I'm probably a gunner at heart but I try to be modest about it as much as possible. I'll often set the curves on tests but I'll never tell anyone unless they ask me what I got. But secretly I'm glad to brag about it when I get the opportunity. I'm very competitive but I act nonchalant about it. People are actually very surprised when I get the high scores because I don't have the appearance of a gunner.

 

[LittleRocker]

don't be bringing knives to a gun fight, he packin'

hahaha that's funny. Don't get the wrong impression, I would never do anything malicious or anything that would put other people at a disadvantage. I'm always happy to help explain a concept to someone when they ask me or share my notes (if you can read them).

 

[Law2Doc]

I'm probably a gunner at heart but I try to be modest about it as much as possible. I'll often set the curves on tests but I'll never tell anyone unless they ask me what I got. But secretly I'm glad to brag about it when I get the opportunity. I'm very competitive but I act nonchalant about it. People are actually very surprised when I get the high scores because I don't have the appearance of a gunner.

What you describe is not really being a gunner. Gunners are less concerned with setting the curve, and more concerned with who else did well and how they can get the edge on them on the next test. You guys keep missing an essential part of the definition of a gunner -- not just doing well but AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHERS.

 

[doinmybest5840]

A gunner is anybody who refuses to share their results/scores first because they need to make sure they don't give you their "correct" answers and help you out, or tell you their score and have you say you did better.

 

[paranoid_eyes]

the only thing worse than a gunner is that overly stressed looking, neurotic premed

 

[UFMed]

This gets asked a lot so you can search and find many definitions. A gunner is not someone who just works hard and does well. That is a misuse of the term (that people misuse the term doesn't mean it has multiple defiitions, BTW). A gunner is someone who does well at the expense of others. The "at the expense of others" part of the definition is really the heart of the definition -- where the "gun" comes in. Gunner is a very negative term, the antithesis of a slacker, which is also a non-flattering term.
The true gunner is someone who sees others in his class as the enemy and only believes that he can get ahead by stepping on others. In law school the true gunners were the ones who ripped out important pages in library books after using them. In med school, they tend to be the ones who ask lots of questions during classmates PBL presentations or on rounds to show them up, not be willing to share notes, and overall not play fair. They are usually covert, and sometimes even will circulate around resources they have already found useless before each test, in the hopes that people will both waste time with it and also to seem like they are willing to share things. You don't see all that many, but one or two crop up and are all it takes.

What you describe is not really being a gunner. Gunners are less concerned with setting the curve, and more concerned with who else did well and how they can get the edge on them on the next test. You guys keep missing an essential part of the definition of a gunner -- not just doing well but AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHERS.

👍

Very well put!
OP, Law2Doc has answered your question. A gunner doesn't simply do well, they try to make sure everyone else doesn't- usually going out of their way to double cross their peers. It happens in the "real world" too, especially when a promotion is up for grabs. Your failure is their success. Like Law2Doc said, just because people misuse the term doesn't mean that a gunner is simply the student with the highest grade or most ambition to learn- that should be a standard pre req for a future grad student.

 

[brianmartin]

You guys keep missing an essential part of the definition of a gunner -- not just doing well but AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHERS

See I don't like this definition. The people I think of as "gunners" don't even consider other people. Like the guy who sits in the front row asking stupid questions to get noticed, that guy is not being malicious towards his classmates, he is just "gunning" for that extra attention.

 

[HanginInThere]

See I don't like this definition. The people I think of as "gunners" don't even consider other people. Like the guy who sits in the front row asking stupid questions to get noticed, that guy is not being malicious towards his classmates, he is just "gunning" for that extra attention.

This doesn't seem to be the accepted definition. Here's my take:

The guy who sits in the front row asking tons of questions because he wants to know everything there is to know about the subject is a nerd. (I'm happy for him.)

Your guy, who sits next to him asking tons of questions because he wants to get noticed, is just a brown-noser. (I feel a bit sorry for him.)

But my guy, who sits next to those two and asks tons of questions because he's trying to make everyone else to look bad in comparison, is the gunner. (Nobody likes my guy.)

Same actions, different motivations. Motivation is the key.

 

[IceMan0824]

Gunners are so yesterday, now a sniper...

 

[darkelven29]

For example, Christina Yang in Grey's Anatomy is a gunner

 

[Begaster]

hahaha that's funny. Don't get the wrong impression, I would never do anything malicious or anything that would put other people at a disadvantage. I'm always happy to help explain a concept to someone when they ask me or share my notes (if you can read them).

You're not a gunner!