Swift student challenge- help

I don’t have any direct experience with this myself — it’s been a long time since I was a student — but the Developer > Swift Student Challenge > Distinguished Winner page has some info you might find helpful.

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Quinn “The Eskimo!” @ Developer Technical Support @ Apple
let myEmail = "eskimo" + "1" + "@" + "apple.com"

@135_110 My guess is that the most important was finding the right idea for the app, that looks original and fun to use.

Note it is required that it showcase Apple's platform capability through the wise use of API.

For the coding, I would not be surprised they spent hundreds of hours to fine tune their app.

But let's them say if they get the post.

And go this year, at least to get your feet wet. You'll learn for seriously competing next year. Good luck.

Hello! I’m not a Distinguished Winner, but I did win last year. In my experience, it takes time. For examples of strong projects, see https://wwdcscholars.com/ (not endorsed by Apple). It showcases many past winners and helps you understand what judges look for.

Don’t expect to win on your first try. It’s competitive, and I needed two failed attempts before a winning submission. I focus on the intersection of my interests, problems I’ve identified, and native Apple technologies. That keeps me motivated by the problem I’m solving.

Remember that the app is only part of the challenge. Don’t underestimate the essay. Make sure your app and essay reflect who you are as a developer. In my experience, judges care more about your motivations and the problem you’re tackling than a perfectly polished solution.

The idea is the most important part, and it often takes the longest. This year, I went through three different ideas before landing on one I’m happy with. Hope this helps, and good luck!

Thanks