Unfortunately, I was not chosen. The two guys that did get the nod have already finished all of the required projects for the semester. Looks like that counted against me. Still, I was glad I had the opportunity to be in the running. And I know the fit and finish on my projects is the best in the class.
I guess there is, as in most things, a trade off between quantity and quality.
Seems that balance is something craftsmen will learn with experience and the needs of their "niche".
My take is that, with the beginners, the ability to produce quality should get the edge. A craftsman who produces the highest quality work can back that off for quantity issues very much easier than a quick but poorer quality craftsman can learn the skill and discipline needed to produce maximize quality.