Embarking on my Google Summer of Code (GSoC) journey, I've decided to share the criteria I've developed after some research for selecting and shortlisting organizations.

Disclaimer: I am by no means a GSoC expert; in fact, I will be applying for the very first time. I believe documenting my prep journey might help fellow beginners. Keep in mind that this process is a mix of trial and error, so take my insights with a grain of salt.

So, here are my 4 steps for choosing the Right Organization:

1. gsocorganizations.dev is Your Best Friend:
   Begin by visiting gsocorganizations.dev and filter out first-time organizations.
   Also, consider those that participated for the first time in 2022 and returned for the 23 season. These organizations might be less crowded (from my observation), but don't overlook the seasoned ones if they're beginner-friendly.

   

2. Dive into Each Organization:
   After narrowing down your search, delve into each organization one by one. Check the technologies they use and see if you're familiar with some of them. Explore past projects, the number of slots, and critically, navigate the codebase by reviewing issues and merged pull requests.

3. Assess Organization Activity:
   Verify the organization's activity level. An active organization is crucial for a fruitful pre-GSoC experience. Do keep an eye on competition as joining a less-crowded project can be more rewarding than being part of a contributor-packed initiative.

   

4. Jot Down Impressions:
   Repeat this process for all shortlisted organizations from step 1, jotting down your impressions as you go.
   Though time-consuming, this step is essential to make an informed decision.

After all of this, pick two organizations from your list that align with your interests and provide manageable challenges, as a not-so-wise man once said,

"Balancing ease and interest is key to success."

After picking, reach out to the organization maintainers and introduce yourself. You must now try setting up the projects locally.
Also, don't forget to join the communication channels of your organization as it will ensure that you are directly connected with potential mentors.

Remember, this approach is personal and by no means perfect... Therefore, you're encouraged to tailor it to your preferences.

Feel free to share your thoughts and questions in the comments.

Thank you for your time, and if you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch the accompanying video based on this blog post linked below. 👇