Apple Announces Swift Student Challenge Returns in February Ahead of WWDC 2025

[MacRumors]

Apple today announced it will begin accepting submissions for the 2025 Swift Student Challenge for a three-week period starting in February.

The annual Swift Student Challenge gives eligible student developers around the world the opportunity to showcase their coding skills and creativity by building experimental "app playgrounds" with the Swift Playgrounds or Xcode apps.

Apple said it will select 350 winners based on "innovation, creativity, social impact, or inclusivity," and it will invite 50 of those winners to spend three days at Apple Park in Cupertino, California next summer, with travel and lodging included. The trip will likely coincide with Apple's annual developers conference WWDC, which is typically held in June.

This earlier-than-usual announcement gives students an adequate amount of time to prepare for the next Swift Student Challenge. Students can learn more and sign up to be notified when applications open on the Apple Developer website.

Apple has yet to announce dates for WWDC 2025.

Article Link: Apple Announces Swift Student Challenge Returns in February Ahead of WWDC 2025

 

[grantishere]

As a 2019 winner, things have really changed since 2020. The Swift Student Challenge has become a marketing grab.

For one, they started announcing it months early to try and get more people to apply. PR has been really heavy on it. Before 2020, they were more settled about it.

Starting in 2023, only 50 people were able to go in person. If you were one of those 50, you could not win again a future year. The in-person in 2023 was only three days compared to the full five day experience. And all 350 winners got to go.

If you’re a student interested in this, only do it if you actually are interested or passionate in programming, not to just try and get a chance to meet Tim Cook. Though “Anyone can code” is true, not everyone should code.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

I love the Taylor Swift student challenge! She's so inspiring!