For anyone who is a student considering Google Summer of Code this year: this timeframe we’re in right now is listed by Google as time for “students discuss project ideas with mentoring organizations”.  This is the perfect time to find out what the people in an organization are like, and get early feedback on your project ideas.

Chances are, if you’re submitting a proposal for an idea from an org’s project list, you’re one of a number of students all trying for the same thing.  The best way to get accepted instead of any other applicant is to be the person they already know.