An evolution of Admissions

Dr. Gunn steps down after 27 years

By Darla Brown

Today the system is completely computerized, from the application to the faculty interview reports to the generated acceptance lists – everything is viewed online, and there are no paper trails or index cards like in the early days.

But regardless of the means, the Medical School has always attracted the right caliber of student, Dr. Gunn says, by relying on a simple formula set forth by the second Medical School dean, Robert Tuttle, M.D.

"When I first came here, Dr. Tuttle gave me instructions that I never forgot: select students that were good. And by good he meant those who not only had a good average but those with integrity, moral fiber, and who had compassion for the patient. The good doctors go out and try to do something for somebody because they have commitment and take that extra step.

"Having simply good credentials can blind people to the individual who is behind them," Dr. Gunn adds.

The annual process of admissions requires a lot of hard work not only by the admissions office staff but also by the admissions committee, which is made up by faculty who volunteer their time to the endeavor.

"The admissions committee has been a big influence to me over the years and has had some great insight and wonderful ideas, making my job very easy," Dr. Gunn says.

"So many on the committee have made an individualized contribution on the process. Many things members from the 1970s said still reverberate today because their students are there on the committee today."

Using current students during the admissions process as tour guides and ambassadors has been the Medical School's "secret weapon," according to Dr. Gunn.

"Our volunteer students have been a superb help and have had a big influence in the admissions process. They have had very useful ideas and have always been able to help us attract the people we wanted – the students made that possible," he says.

As admissions has advanced into the 21st century, the competitive nature has moved into a supersonic age.

"Admissions to medical school is in a more intense phase than ever. Some students are going overboard and have a mechanistic view of medical education, a preconceived view. They take their views of schools just off the ratings,"

Dr. Gunn says. Dr. Gunn says that GPAs are often manipulated, not revealing a fully educated student.

"Some students don't know general knowledge and are too specialized into pre-med," he says. "Something else that is new is a characterization of victimization by some. Some applicants think if they list every misadventure on their application, that will be their ticket to medical school."

With the changing times, criminal background checks are now a requirement of applicants.

But some things never change – like a student's determination to be accepted by the UT Medical School.

"I have gotten and returned many gifts through the years. Students will do anything to get your attention and will even research your background and try to be very persuasive, but I tend to be a sourpuss," Dr. Gunn says.

So what is the secret to getting into medical school?

"People often ask me that, and what I always tell them is to read 10 good books a year," Dr. Gunn says with a smile. "Being well learned and well rounded is underestimated."