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Startup School acceptances are out

news.ycombinator.com

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Re: Startup School acceptances are out

#51

Post by argonaut »

BinaryIdiot wrote: post #20
keithwarren wrote: post #15

Got accepted, not sure whether to be excited or not. Could be one of those things where most everyone who applies gets accepted because most people don't end up coming. (anyone know numbers on that?) Pretty sure I will go...2000 miles isn't really that far...

I was told by someone who has been trying to attend for years that it's hard to get accepted. Not sure if that's accurate or not but I was accepted and am excited to learn and listen.

AFAIK, generally the people I see getting in are technical and have somewhat interesting projects that they've worked on.

Re: Startup School acceptances are out

#52

Post by yaelwrites »

HorizonXP wrote: post #14

Odd. I've been going for multiple years, and I got rejected this time. And just my luck that I already bought my plane ticket and booked an Airbnb. That sucks.

I got accepted in NYC, had to turn it down because I'd already decided to go to a conference (ironically also in NYC) since I'd assumed I'd be rejected, emailed my cancellation and was told this wouldn't DQ me for SF, and then got rejected. We should have a meetup for all of the rejects, lol.

Re: Startup School acceptances are out

#53

Post by keithwarren »

agreen wrote: post #39
keithwarren wrote: post #15

Got accepted, not sure whether to be excited or not. Could be one of those things where most everyone who applies gets accepted because most people don't end up coming. (anyone know numbers on that?) Pretty sure I will go...2000 miles isn't really that far...

I'm also deciding if it's worth the cost to make the 2000+ mile trip.

yeah, my cost with flight, hotel etc will approach 2k dollars. Throw in lost billable time with clients and this is a 5K investment for a one day conf I could watch online. The key is going to be what I make of the hours that I spend not sitting in a seat during that day. Meeting people, making connections etc.

Re: Startup School acceptances are out

#56

Post by gmays »

gokulnaths wrote: post #47

I got accepted but I've to travel a long way -- from India, is it worth it? I do have plans to set up a bunch of meetings pre and post event, though. (oh and how difficult is it to get a meeting scheduled with big names? I know it's a naive question but still...)

It's absolutely worth it. It was awesome last year, it'll be awesome this year. The talks are great, but the other attendees really put it over the top.

If you're from SV or something maybe you're used to it, but I'm not so it's always a shot in the arm to be around so many like minded people working on exciting things.

Re: Startup School acceptances are out

#57

Post by ggamecrazy »

yaelwrites wrote: post #52
HorizonXP wrote: post #14

Odd. I've been going for multiple years, and I got rejected this time. And just my luck that I already bought my plane ticket and booked an Airbnb. That sucks.

I got accepted in NYC, had to turn it down because I'd already decided to go to a conference (ironically also in NYC) since I'd assumed I'd be rejected, emailed my cancellation and was told this wouldn't DQ me for SF, and then got rejected. We should have a meetup for all of the rejects, lol.

Anyone else coming from NYC? Kinda sucks going solo.

Re: Startup School acceptances are out

#58

Post by gokulnaths »

gmays wrote: post #56
gokulnaths wrote: post #47

I got accepted but I've to travel a long way -- from India, is it worth it? I do have plans to set up a bunch of meetings pre and post event, though. (oh and how difficult is it to get a meeting scheduled with big names? I know it's a naive question but still...)

It's absolutely worth it. It was awesome last year, it'll be awesome this year. The talks are great, but the other attendees really put it over the top. If you're from SV or something maybe you're used to it, but I'm not so it's always a shot in the arm to be around so many like minded people working on exciting things.

Skeptics were arguing that the talks will be uploaded to YouTube anyway, and stuff like that. I'm interested in looking to meet people beyond the event as well. Let's see. M

Re: Startup School acceptances are out

#59

Post by gokulnaths »

arunzy wrote: post #50
gokulnaths wrote: post #47

I got accepted but I've to travel a long way -- from India, is it worth it? I do have plans to set up a bunch of meetings pre and post event, though. (oh and how difficult is it to get a meeting scheduled with big names? I know it's a naive question but still...)

Yes, it is worth it because you can potentially meet a LOT of interesting people. I say 'interesting' because I prefer meeting people who are fired up and ready to take on the world as opposed to those who made it. Scheduling meetings with big names is mainly a credibility thing. You either have the right connections to get an introduction or an 'unicorn'. P.S. Remember that this is still just a 'conference' in the p…

Fair point. I'll have to try and use connections in the valley to see if any introductions can be made. Thanks a lot for your inputs. :)

Re: Startup School acceptances are out

#60

Post by gokulnaths »

billyboar wrote: post #48
gokulnaths wrote: post #47

I got accepted but I've to travel a long way -- from India, is it worth it? I do have plans to set up a bunch of meetings pre and post event, though. (oh and how difficult is it to get a meeting scheduled with big names? I know it's a naive question but still...)

The only thing that worries me is getting a visa. I'm not sure my visa would come out in time. As for big names, investors, I guess, you won't meet so many, but you will definitely meet some smart people.

As I said, I'm from India and getting a visa, according to the official website takes around a week except under dire circumstances. Hopefully should get it in time. Where are you from?
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