How to Prepare for GSoC (From My Experience)
What GSoC Really Is (and What It Isn't)
Let's clear one big misunderstanding right away: GSoC is not an exam, not a competition, and not something only "top coders" can do. It's a learning program where students work on open-source projects under experienced mentors. The goal isn't to find perfect programmers; it's to give you a real-world development experience while contributing to something meaningful.
A lot of people think they need to be experts in Data Structures, Algorithms, or have some fancy resume. But that's not true at all. You don't need to crack coding interviews or solve hundreds of LeetCode questions. You just need to be comfortable with the programming language you plan to use and be ready to learn.
There's also no interview in most cases. What matters most is how you communicate, how much you understand the organization's project, and how willing you are to learn and collaborate. GSoC isn't about being perfect; it's about being consistent, curious, and open to feedback.
Start Early (Because Time Flies)
One of the biggest lessons I've learned: start early. Every year, people who begin early have a clear advantage. They get more time to explore different organizations, talk to mentors, make small contributions, and draft a strong proposal.
You don’t need to wait for the official organization list to start. You can go through previous years’ archives and get an idea of what kind of organizations participate, what projects they usually take, and what tech stacks they use.
For example, check the GSoC archive site and look for projects by language or domain like "Python," "Flutter," "AI," or "backend." You'll start to notice patterns. Many organizations return each year with similar or continued projects.
Starting early also helps you build confidence. You’ll learn how GitHub works, how to submit pull requests, and how open-source projects are structured. Even if you make one small contribution before the GSoC application period starts, it gives you a huge boost of motivation.
Learn the Basics of GitHub and Open Source
Almost all the work for GSoC happens on GitHub. If you're new to it, that's totally fine; most people are. Just start with the basics:
- Learn how to fork a repository
- Make small code changes
- Commit and push your changes
- Open a pull request (PR)
- Communicate in GitHub issues
You can learn all this in a few days through YouTube tutorials or by contributing to beginner-friendly repositories. Start with something simple like fixing typos in documentation, updating README files, or improving small UI elements. These contributions may seem small, but they help you understand the workflow, and that's what really matters in the beginning.
Once you get comfortable with GitHub, you’ll find that most open-source projects follow a similar structure. The skills you learn while contributing to one project can easily be applied to another.
Choosing the Right Domain
Before diving deep into specific organizations, take some time to figure out what actually excites you. Everyone has different interests: some love backend systems, some enjoy designing UIs, some like data analysis or AI.
The best domain to pick is the one you enjoy spending time with. When you genuinely like the work you’re doing, it doesn’t feel like pressure. You’ll automatically be more consistent and motivated.
Think about the kind of projects you already enjoy building. If you like making apps, go for mobile development. If you love experimenting with AI models, explore machine learning projects. If web development excites you, there are dozens of frontend and full-stack projects to explore.
The point is: don't choose a domain just because it sounds fancy or popular. Choose it because you're curious about it. GSoC lasts for months, and you'll be spending a lot of time learning, coding, and discussing, so make sure you're genuinely interested.
Learning Skills That Matter
Once you decide your domain, go deep into it. Learn the frameworks, tools, and libraries that are commonly used in that area. You don't need to master everything; just be comfortable enough to build something small on your own.
For example, if you’re into mobile development, make a simple app using Flutter or Android Studio. If you’re into backend, try building a small API using Node.js, Django, or FastAPI. If you love web, make a few small frontend projects using React or plain JavaScript.
Many people won't know what specific skills to focus on. The answer depends on what excites you, but one thing that's becoming increasingly important is AI integration. Even if your main project isn't about AI, knowing how to use APIs like OpenAI, Hugging Face, or simple LLM-based tools can give you an edge.
That doesn't mean you need to specialize in AI; just understand the basics. Learn how APIs work, how to send and receive data, and how to integrate them into applications. A little AI knowledge goes a long way in today's open-source world.
And when it comes to learning, don’t overthink your strategy. Everyone learns differently. Some people love watching tutorials, others prefer reading docs. Personally, I believe in the “learn by doing” approach. Build small things, make mistakes, and improve step by step. That’s how real growth happens.
Finding the Right Organization
Choosing the right organization is one of the most important steps in your GSoC journey. The best way to do this is by exploring the GSoC archives from previous years. Search by language or domain to find projects that match your skills.
For example, if you’re a Flutter developer, look for organizations that used Flutter in their past projects. If you’re a backend developer, filter by Python, Node.js, or Java.
Once you find a few interesting organizations, go to their GitHub pages and check:
- How active the repositories are (frequent commits, open issues, etc.)
- Whether they have an active community on Discord, Slack, or mailing lists
- What kind of projects they’ve done in the past
When the GSoC 2025 organization list is officially announced, visit the official sites of the ones that interest you. Join their community channels and start talking to people. Don’t hesitate to introduce yourself and ask for guidance — most open-source communities are very welcoming.
If you find projects you like, check if they have open “good first issues.” Fixing those small issues or improving documentation is a great way to get noticed. It shows initiative and interest.
Remember, a “good” organization isn’t just the one with big names or trending technologies. It’s the one with responsive mentors, clear project ideas, and an active community.
Making Your First Contributions
Your first contribution doesn’t have to be something big. In fact, most people start by fixing small issues or improving documentation. What matters is that you start.
Begin by exploring the repository, reading the README, and trying to build the project locally. Once you understand how it works, look for open issues that you think you can fix. If you’re not sure, ask the mentors or maintainers in the chat or discussion channels.
Even a small contribution like improving the UI, fixing a bug, or updating documentation counts as valuable experience. Every pull request teaches you something: how to communicate, how to follow project guidelines, and how to write clean commit messages.
Mentors and maintainers appreciate contributors who are consistent and communicate clearly. If you're unsure about something, just ask politely. It's completely okay not to know everything; what matters is your attitude and willingness to learn.
Writing a Strong Proposal
When GSoC's proposal period begins, this is where most people panic. But if you've already done your groundwork (contributed, talked to mentors, and explored the project), writing a proposal becomes much easier.
Start by referring to previous years’ selected proposals if available. Many organizations have templates for proposals — follow them carefully. Clearly explain what you plan to build, how you’ll approach it, what features you’ll implement, and what your timeline looks like.
Add visuals or flow diagrams if possible. A picture often explains an idea much better than words. If you can build a small prototype or MVP (minimum viable product) before submission, that's even better; it shows commitment and initiative.
Send your proposal to mentors as soon as the submission period starts. Don’t wait until the last day. Mentors are usually happy to give feedback, and early submissions give you time to improve based on their suggestions.
Most importantly, keep your proposal realistic. Don't promise too much; focus on doing a few things well rather than listing twenty features.
Communication and Mentorship
Once you’re selected, communication becomes the most important part of GSoC. You’ll be working closely with mentors, and staying in sync with them ensures you’re always on the right path.
Always keep your mentors updated about what you're working on, what progress you've made, and if you're facing any blockers. Don't hesitate to ask questions, even small ones. Mentors are there to help you.
If you're used to working solo, you'll need to adapt to teamwork. GSoC is not just about code; it's about collaboration. You'll learn how to discuss features, review pull requests, and plan your work based on mentor feedback.
The more you communicate, the smoother your experience will be. GSoC is one of the best places to learn how to work in a real-world software environment, something that's hard to experience in college projects.
Consistency is Everything
During the coding phase, consistency matters more than anything else. You don't need to work 10 hours a day, but you should be consistent. Set aside time regularly (even a few hours a day) to write code, test features, and review your progress.
Be patient during code reviews. Sometimes mentors are busy, and reviews might take time. Use that waiting period to improve your documentation or test other parts of your code.
Remember, GSoC isn’t just about finishing a project. It’s about writing production-quality code that real users will depend on. That’s why testing, documentation, and attention to detail are so important.
What You’ll Learn Beyond Code
GSoC will teach you much more than just technical skills. You’ll learn how to be disciplined, how to manage your time, and how to work in a global team. You’ll gain confidence, improve your communication, and understand how professional software development actually works.
You’ll also realize the importance of writing clear code and proper documentation because your work will be used by real developers worldwide. That sense of responsibility changes how you think about coding.
And most importantly, you'll learn patience: waiting for reviews, discussing design changes, and learning to handle feedback. All these things help you grow not just as a developer, but as a person.
Common Myths About GSoC
There are a few myths I want to clear up once and for all:
- You don’t need to be an expert. Many GSoC contributors are students who are learning as they go.
- There’s no interview. Selection is based on your proposal, contributions, and communication.
- You don’t need to master DSA. GSoC is not about solving coding puzzles — it’s about building real projects.
- You can still get selected even if you start late. While starting early helps, dedication matters more.
- You don’t have to know everything in advance. Learning during the journey is completely normal.
Once you understand these things, you'll stop comparing yourself to others and focus on what really matters: improving step by step.
Final Words — You Can Do This
If you've read this far, you already have the curiosity and motivation it takes to get into GSoC. The rest is about consistency. Don't wait for the "perfect time" to start. Just begin: explore GitHub, join a community, fix a small issue, or read a project's documentation.
Every contributor, even the most experienced ones, started exactly where you are: confused but curious. What separates those who get in from those who don't is not talent, it's persistence.
You don’t have to be extraordinary. You just have to show up, learn, and keep moving forward. GSoC 2025 and every year after it will always welcome students who are willing to learn and contribute.
So take the first step today. Open GitHub, find a project, introduce yourself, and start your journey. Because once you experience contributing to open source, you'll realize: this is not just about getting selected for GSoC, it's about becoming the kind of developer who makes an impact.