Application Response Builder

This page provides templates for responding to the Outreach Program for Women applications. Please check ALL top-level sections to see which ones apply and then check ALL sub-sections of the ones that apply. Please feel free to add in personalized feedback about the applications or identify common scenarios that should be added to this page.

What to look for in the application for building a response:

• If your organization is participating in GSoC and the applicant is a student applying for a coding project, is she applying for GSoC?
• Did the applicant make a contribution?
• Did the applicant link to or attach her contribution?
• If an applicant is a design applicant, did she send in or link to her design portfolio?
• Did the applicant discuss details of her project with a mentor?
• What are the other time commitments the applicant will have?
• Did the applicant send in .doc or .docx attachment?
• Did the applicant participate in OPW or GSoC before?

Qualifying means

• Identifies as a woman, qenderqueer, or genderfluid
• At least 18 years old on June 17, 2013
• Did not participate in OPW or GSoC before (covered below as a case that can be most easily gleaned from the application)

Qualifying applicant made a contribution or mentions plans for one

Applicant made a contribution

Hi [APPLICANT FIRST NAME],

Thank you for your application and for your contribution to [APPLICANT'S ORGANIZATION]! Please feel free to continue working with your prospective mentor on making more contributions to [APPLICANT'S ORGANIZATION] as your time allows. Feel free to send us an update about any such contributions in the next week or so.

Please be sure to let us know if your availability for the internship dates changes at any point. The list of accepted participants will be posted on https://live.gnome.org/OutreachProgramForWomen/2013/JuneSeptember at 7pm UTC on May 27 and we'll be in touch shortly afterwards with personal feedback.

Thanks,
[RESPONDER FIRST NAME]

Applicant made multiple contributions

Change "contribution" to "contributions" in the first paragraph.

Contribution is mentioned, but not linked to or attached

Add the following after the first sentence.

Can you please send in an updated application that includes a link to your contribution or has it as an attachment?

Applicant mentions plans to work on a contribution, but no contribution was made yet

Hi [APPLICANT FIRST NAME],

Thank you for your application! Please be sure to continue working with [APPLICANT'S ORGANIZATION] on your initial contribution and send in an update about it by May [if Kernel application "17" else "8"] for your application to be considered.

Thanks,
[RESPONDER FIRST NAME]

Applicant has applied for GSoC in Melange

Melange link

Add the following as a paragraph of its own after the first paragraph.

Thank you for your application for Google Summer of Code as well. Please be sure to keep an eye on the comments it receives and follow up on them.

Applicant qualifies for GSoC, but you don't see her application in Melange

Add the following as a paragraph of its own after the first paragraph.

Please be sure to submit your application for Google Summer of Code for the same project as soon as possible at http://www.google-melange.com/gsoc/homepage/google/gsoc2013 . Google Summer of Code applications deadline is 7pm UTC on May 3.

Design applicant didn't attach or link to her portfolio

Add the following as a paragraph of its own after the first paragraph.

Please send in or provide a link to your design portfolio that shows some of your previous works.

Qualifying applicant does not mention a contribution or plans for it

Hi [APPLICANT FIRST NAME],

Thank you for your interest in the program! Completing a small contribution to the project you are interested in is required for applying for the program. You can find all the information about the program at https://live.gnome.org/OutreachProgramForWomen

Because you have not yet made the required contribution, we will not have a chance to consider your candidacy for this round. I would like to encourage you to learn more about [APPLICANT'S ORGANIZATION] and other Free and Open Source Software projects, try out the technology they create, start contributing to one of them in your spare time, and apply for the next round which will have internship dates from mid-December to mid-March, and an application deadline in the beginning of November or for the round after that in a year.

Thanks,
[RESPONDER FIRST NAME]

Qualifying applicant didn't select an organization

Hi [APPLICANT FIRST NAME],

Thank you for your interest in the program! To apply for the program you are required to connect with a mentor from one of the participating organizations, complete a small contribution for the project you are applying for, and complete the application form in full. You can find all the information about the program at https://live.gnome.org/OutreachProgramForWomen

Because you have not yet made the required contribution, we will not have a chance to consider your candidacy for this round. I would like to encourage you to learn more about different Free and Open Source Software projects, try out the technology they create, start contributing to one of them in your spare time, and apply for the next round which will have internship dates from mid-December to mid-March, and an application deadline in the beginning of November or for the round after that in a year.

Thanks,
[RESPONDER FIRST NAME]

Applicant has prior OPW or GSoC experience

Hi [APPLICANT FIRST NAME],

Thank you for your application [If applicable: "and for your contribution to [APPLICANT'S ORGANIZATION]"]! Because the program is intended to help newcomers and contributors who are relatively new to the FOSS community to get more involved, we unfortunately can't accept past participants of Outreach Program for Women or Google Summer of Code internships.

Thanks,
[RESPONDER FIRST NAME]

Applicant is a student

Add as a second paragraph.

Applicant has applied for GSoC in Melange

Thank you for your application for Google Summer of Code. We are happy to have repeat participants in it and your application will be fully considered.

Applicant qualifies for GSoC, but you don't see her application in Melange

You are still welcome to apply for Google Summer of Code and your application will be fully considered. Google Summer of Code applications deadline is 7pm UTC on May 3.

Applicant has a full time job during the duration of the program

Add the following after the last paragraph.

If the applicant gave a lot of details about how she will balance two jobs, include this in the beginning of the paragraph:

Thank you for giving some thought to how you can balance your job and your participation in the program.

Applicant made a contribution or mentions plans for one

This program is expected to be a full-time effort. We will consider your application, however it might be more appropriate for you to continue contributing to [APPLICANT'S ORGANIZATION] in your spare time, develop more experience contributing to Free and Open Source Software, and apply for a full time job in the field. You can find many opportunities available at https://live.gnome.org/OutreachProgramForWomen/Opportunities

Applicant does not mention a contribution or plans for it

Because this program is expected to be a full-time effort, you might consider applying for a full time job in the field instead. You can find many opportunities available at https://live.gnome.org/OutreachProgramForWomen/Opportunities

Applicant attached .doc or .docx

Use an opportunity for FOSS 101 and add the following after the last paragraph:

I also wanted to note that .doc and .docx are not open file formats, and .odt or .pdf are more appropriate file formats to use when communicating in the FOSS community.