If you have been trying to apply for the Google Summer of code 2022, but can’t find your way around the application process, this article will work you through it step by step.
Without further ado, let’s get into it.
Before we go ahead with the step by step application, you need to first understand what Google Summer of Code is, what it’s not, who it’s for and what you will be doing once you get accepted into the Program.
What is Google Summer of Code, Who It’s For and What It’s all About.
Google Summer of Code is a program organized by Google to help companies that run open-source programs. Open-source programs are programs that are free for the public to use and anybody can contribute to building the program.
So, basically, these companies build software for the public to use for free.
What Google does through the Google Summer of Code is that they recruit interns and attach them to companies that run open software as a way of supporting them since these companies are basically providing free services to the public. However, google pay these interns monthly for the duration of the programme (3 months)
Who Can Apply for the Programme?
The Google Summer of Code is not for complete novices who have never written a line of code before. Although you will be guided throughout the process, you should have a slight background in coding to stand a chance to be selected into the program.
It’s not a teaching class where they walk you through coding from scratch. It’s a workplace where you learn as you do.
What You’ll be doing once selected.
If you are selected into the program, you will be working on an open-source program. You will work in teams with other programmers. You will be assigned a mentor that will help you with your work. You will work from your home country.
Step By Step Application for the Google Summer of Code
Here’s a step by step application for the Google Summer of Code. There are two steps to applying for the Google Summer of Code.
- Register as a Contributor with Google Summer of Code.
- Submit Proposals to Companies you’d like to intern with
step 1: Register as a Contributor with Google Summer of Code
The first thing you need to do is to first register as a contributor with Google Summer of Code. It’s easy to do that. Visit Google Summer of Code Page, scroll down to the section that says ‘Contributors’ then click on Register to become a contributor.
You’ll see a page that looks like this.
Fill all the required information and click on submit.
That’s all there is to register as a contributor to Google Summer of Code.
Once you’re done with the first step, move to step 2.
Step 2: Submit Proposals to Companies you’d like to intern with
This step requires you to submit proposals to companies you’d like to intern with. To do so, go to this page where Google listed all the Companies you can choose from. There are 202 of them. Click on each of the companies to see what they offer and the kind of project they offer.
It is very important for you go through each company profile to see that what they do fits you.
For example, some companies use python and react for their development. You can’t submit proposals to such company if you are not into python and react.
As a case study, the first company of the list is Academy Software Foundation. If you click on it, it will bring you to this page:
The page tells a little about the company. At the bottom, you’ll see two buttons: “View Idea list”, and “Submit Proposal.”
If you click on “View Idea List” it will take you to a page that talks about the different projects the company is working on, what you as an intern will work on, the programming languages required for each of the projects, what interns will do, how to write a proposal, and so on. Please make sure to go through this page before you submit proposal to any company.
If you click on the “submit proposal” button it will take you to the proposal page where you can submit a proposal. The page looks like this:
Fill all the required information and submit.
Different companies have different format for submitting proposal. Make sure to visit the company page before submitting a proposal.
You can submit proposals to upto 3 companies.
Advice for People Applying for GSoC
We get a lot of questions about “How do I get started?” Here is some step by step advice that should help.
1.
We spend a lot of time making sure all the information you need is available on the program site. Remember, a big part of open source is self-reliance. We expect you to look for answers before you come to us for help. Look at the Program Rules, FAQ, Timeline and Contributor/Student Guide at the very least.
2.
What computer science subject area or specific issue or problem interests you? What are your skills? What languages do you know? What tools are you familiar with? Make a list.
3.
Use the provided tags and your list to narrow down the long list. Pick 3-5 orgs to research in depth.
4.
Review mailing lists and chat logs to see if you’re comfortable with the style of the communication each community uses. Think about what you see versus what you want to work on.
5.
File a bug. Better yet, send a patch or pull request. Orgs want to see that you are genuinely interested in them.
6.
Limit yourself to one or two. Quality is more important than quantity. This isn’t a lottery. Submitting several weak proposals hurts your chances of being accepted.
7.
Make sure your application includes the specific information and format the org asks for, as well as what is required by the GSoC program rules. Double check your work before submitting the proposal: misspelling in writing has a similar result as does misspelling in code 🙂
8.
(This is so important, we put it in ALL CAPS.)
Every year we get potential contributors asking for extensions to the application deadline. We can not give extensions for any reason, even if your internet is down, you were in exams, your computer was stolen, you misunderstood the timezone, you were on a plane or in the hospital. It is in your best interest to submit the application early.
Plus, the longer the org has to review your application and give you feedback on your draft, the better your chances of being accepted as a GSoC contributor.