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    Competition Prep Guide

    Congressional App Challenge

    Build an app, win recognition from your member of Congress, get displayed in the U.S. Capitol.

    Eligibility

    • Under 18 as of submission deadline
    • Resident of a participating Congressional district
    • Solo or team (up to 4); at least one team member must be from the district
    • App can be in any platform/language — mobile, web, desktop

    Annual Timeline

    1. June

      Registration opens nationally

    2. Jun–Oct

      Build your app; record demo video; prepare written description

    3. Late October

      Submission deadline (typically late Oct, varies by district)

    4. Dec–Jan

      District winners announced by individual House offices

    5. Spring

      House of Code reception in Washington, D.C. for winning teams

    Preparation Strategy

    1

    Solve a real problem, not a technical showcase

    Judges (often non-technical) score ideas + impact heavily. A simple app that solves a clear problem beats a complex app with no purpose.

    2

    Polish the demo video

    Most submissions have weak videos. A clean 2–3 minute walkthrough explaining the problem, solution, and tech stack often wins by default.

    3

    Check your district's submission count

    Many districts receive fewer than 10 submissions. Wide-open competition makes this one of the most achievable national-recognition credentials.

    Common Pitfalls

    • Submitting a tutorial clone with no original idea.
    • Forgetting to verify district eligibility.
    • Poor video quality — most judges watch the video before opening the app.

    Official Resources

    Book Strategy Session

    Get a personalized prep plan for Congressional App Challenge from a senior counselor.

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