Business
You can’t hack your YC application, but here’s what to avoid
The Y Combinator application season is upon us. I have been through YC a couple of times and have reviewed thousands of applications as a volunteer in later years.
Typically, you hear advice focused on ways to improve your YC application so it gets accepted. Here are some tips on what not to do and why so many YC applications get rejected. I’ve also put down some advice about what else to anticipate and take into consideration as you navigate the application process.
In short, don’t overthink your application, and keep it simple and straightforward.
When should I submit my YC application?
When in doubt, read YC’s instructions and answer the question literally. Avoid verbose marketing lingo and keep answers short and concise.
The best applications are often those made at the last minute, because applicants do not overthink their responses and toil over details they think need to be shoved into a question. While I do not recommend submitting applications at the deadline because the system has had issues receiving submissions, you can capture the essence of last-minute submissions by being clear and concise.
Remember that your application should be good enough to get an interview, not win a prize. Go back to work instead of spending more time perfecting an application.
YC experiments frequently. For this batch and the last, there was an early deadline that would give accepted teams access to YC before the batch officially began. Applying early gives you an opportunity to land an interview in the early round and to update your application to be considered in the standard round.
Is it OK to submit my YC application late?
-
Entertainment5 days ago
‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’ review: George Miller’s blazing action folktale might just have outdone ‘Fury Road’
-
Entertainment6 days ago
‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 trailer breakdown: Dragons, Rook’s Rest, and more
-
Entertainment6 days ago
Sex education is under threat in the UK. What’s going on?
-
Business5 days ago
Orange Charger thinks a $750 outlet will solve EV charging for apartment dwellers
-
Business4 days ago
Colab’s collaborative tools for engineers line up $21M in new funding
-
Business4 days ago
A US Trustee wants troubled fintech Synapse to be liquidated via Chapter 7 bankruptcy, cites ‘gross mismanagement’
-
Business5 days ago
Senate study proposes ‘at least’ $32B yearly for AI programs
-
Entertainment6 days ago
The women getting guys to rate their nudes on Reddit