I've got to agree with Scott on this one - Fine Molds is the way to go. Keep the contest build fun (considering everything else you have running in the back ground). No matter how you slice it, the FM kit will be easier to put together. With the FM kit you can build it quick if you want, or really pour some love into the finish. You'll also build up experience and references to support building the studio scale kit later, pushing that kit into the stratosphere of awesome when you have the time and energy to tackle it.

Just my two cents.