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I got into YC after applying 6 times. Here's my advice for YC applicants

iamwil.posterous.com

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Re: I got into YC after applying 6 times. Here's my advice for YC applicants

#21

Post by cperciva »

pg wrote: post #3
jijoy wrote: post #2

Why do everyone thinks that , if you got into YC , your company gonna be a sure bet ?

I don't think many people actually think that. We've said publicly many times that we'd be pleasantly surprised if the success rate was as high as 50%.

You may be pleased by a 50% success rate, but how many of the 50% who don't succeed will be pleased?

(Not just being facetious -- I've heard stories about YCers whose companies failed being hired by other YC companies or otherwise finding good positions as a result of their YC experience, but a few anecdotes is no substitute for data.)

Re: I got into YC after applying 6 times. Here's my advice for YC applicants

#26

Post by zbruhnke »

lionheart wrote: post #13

As a single founder who just submitted their application this article makes me happy. If this kind of attitude and traction is what they're looking for then I think I do have a pretty good shot. Either way, I'm looking forward to seeing what comes out of it.

Just applied as a single founder as well ... good luck!

Re: I got into YC after applying 6 times. Here's my advice for YC applicants

#27

Post by kristiandupont »

jijoy wrote: post #7
iamwil wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not at all. Plenty of YC companies fail. The founders go on to do another startup, work at facebook/google/etc, work for another startup, or raise a family. And also, there are plenty of non-YC companies that succeed. I've not asserted otherwise. This is advice for you only if you're already convinced of the value of YC. If you aren't yet, there's other blog posts to cover that.

Personally , I am big fan of YC. However if the idea is good and execution is great , with or without YC , you will succeed .

Yes but the whole idea is that YC can help you execute better.

Re: I got into YC after applying 6 times. Here's my advice for YC applicants

#29

Post by johnyqi »

dotcoma wrote: post #15

here's my advice: don't ever accept "no" as an answer.

Exactly, just do it again and again, over and over... eventually things will fit together and you will get it right. The spirit of not giving up and to keep learning from mistakes is the only that counts in the end.

Re: I got into YC after applying 6 times. Here's my advice for YC applicants

#30

Post by abstractbill »

cperciva wrote: post #21
pg wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think many people actually think that. We've said publicly many times that we'd be pleasantly surprised if the success rate was as high as 50%.

You may be pleased by a 50% success rate, but how many of the 50% who don't succeed will be pleased? (Not just being facetious -- I've heard stories about YCers whose companies failed being hired by other YC companies or otherwise finding good positions as a result of their YC experience, but a few anecdotes is no substitute for data.)

I've heard stories about YCers whose companies failed being hired by other YC companies

I've heard successful YC companies referred to as being like piranhas (or something like that). Any time another YC company shows signs of failing, the others tend to wonder about hiring opportunities.

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