Common Misconceptions About Applying to YC

Re:Common Misconceptions About Applying to YC by KanyeBest on Thursday September 22, 2016 @05:48PM (#12560617)

> S16: 54.7% did not have a recommendation.

This begs the question: How much weight does a recommendation carry?

Or put in another way: Should you network with YC alumni in case you ever want to apply?

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Re:Common Misconceptions About Applying to YC by dsacco on Thursday September 22, 2016 @07:46PM (#12561299)

>>Or put in another way: Should you network with YC alumni in case you ever want to apply?

Absolutely, yes. It doesn't mean that you will certainly get in, but having a professional relationship with one or more influential YC alumni will be very helpful.

Like almost anywhere else in life, networking is an essential business skill to have and use.

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Re:Common Misconceptions About Applying to YC by mkagenius on Friday September 23, 2016 @01:39AM (#12562559)

not good

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Re:Common Misconceptions About Applying to YC by wslh on Friday September 23, 2016 @08:03AM (#12563917)

Why not? Relationships give trust. On the other hand I think if you don't have any relationship but your business is obviously good I am sure you will be selected.

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Re:Common Misconceptions About Applying to YC by source99 on Thursday September 22, 2016 @07:18PM (#12561141)

How does alumni make a recommendation? If I know a few and reach out, what would I ask them to do?

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Re:Common Misconceptions About Applying to YC by snowmaker on Friday September 23, 2016 @09:23AM (#12564361)

They know how. You can just ask them.

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Re:Common Misconceptions About Applying to YC by troutaway123 on Thursday September 22, 2016 @06:41PM (#12560944)

The same logic used by cperciva can be used here:

> If 95% of applications are from pre-revenue companies, then the 50/50 split between acceptees which are with/without revenue would indicate that companies with revenue are 19x more likely to be accepted

Replace revenue with referral.

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Re:Common Misconceptions About Applying to YC by aepstein on Thursday September 22, 2016 @06:37PM (#12560917)

I've recommended teams that have been accepted, and recommended teams that have been rejected. It's really just another data point to consider, not a golden ticket.

And it certainly can't hurt to network with YC alumni, for reasons beyond just getting a rec.

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