It appears that it's not possible to apply without an idea for S13. Does this mean that the experiment didn't work? Can you share some details of what you found and what went wrong?
Ask PG: Did the "apply to YC without an idea" experiment work?
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Re: Ask PG: Did the "apply to YC without an idea" experiment work?
#2No
Re: Ask PG: Did the "apply to YC without an idea" experiment work?
#3"Application deadline: March 29"
Today's the last day to apply. How did no one notice or think about asking this earlier?
Re: Ask PG: Did the "apply to YC without an idea" experiment work?
#4Here's some previous times this has come up:
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4512022 (answer from pg)
Re: Ask PG: Did the "apply to YC without an idea" experiment work?
#5"Application deadline: March 29" Today's the last day to apply. How did no one notice or think about asking this earlier?
People have, it was discussed a tiny bit in a thread before when the app for this round opened.
Re: Ask PG: Did the "apply to YC without an idea" experiment work?
#6"Application deadline: March 29" Today's the last day to apply. How did no one notice or think about asking this earlier?
I read the application for this round when it was announced,
and the "no idea" option had been removed.
EDIT: took me a while to find it but:
https://news.ycombinator.com/apply-noidea
> Sorry, we're no longer considering applications for winter 2013.
> Check back later to apply for summer.
The S13 application date closes today, so either the above needed editing, or the "no idea" option really was removed.
Re: Ask PG: Did the "apply to YC without an idea" experiment work?
#7Here's some previous times this has come up: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4512022 (answer from pg) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5262796
His answer was "It's still too early to tell". It might be reasonable to ask again 200 days later.
Re: Ask PG: Did the "apply to YC without an idea" experiment work?
#8It seems to me there would be no benefit to them in allowing it. If you want to get into YC and are smart, determined and all the other qualities they want-- you will come up with something. It may not be right, but PG et al can still decide they want the applicant without liking the idea.
Like problem solving in job interviews, doing the exercise tells you a lot more than just if the applicant can get the right answer or not. It can demonstrate your effort, creativity, intelligence, even if it has flaws.
Re: Ask PG: Did the "apply to YC without an idea" experiment work?
#9Here's some previous times this has come up: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4512022 (answer from pg) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5262796
His answer was "It's still too early to tell". It might be reasonable to ask again 200 days later.
Also, there may be a need for a large sample size before patterns can be recognized.
Re: Ask PG: Did the "apply to YC without an idea" experiment work?
#10I'm a sole founder with a non techincal background who is currently outsourcing the development of my site .I applied for the summer batch what do you guys think my chances are ???