The kind of people YC attempts to identify are the kind of people who will make it work with or without YC. If they're wrong about you, they'll regret it.

here's hoping

So does being Bill Gates' cousin, winning the SuperBowl, saving a kid from a burning building, having good parents, etc.

Some of this stuff is random, some of this stuff you can make happen, and some is a combination. YC is a combination. They're doing their best to figure out who to pick and you're doing your best to make your company work. Golden rule of being self-employed: NEVER focus on one opportunity or plan. Always have several things going. And be flexible about it.

What's PG say their success rate is? Something like 50%? Sure -- it'd be great to be in a graduating class, but getting into YC is NOT like passing a test. You don't control it and even for the people who do control it, it's a crap shoot. It's more like bumping into some folks in the hall and chatting a bit and giving them your business card. Maybe they'll call. Maybe not. Don't get your hopes on it. How much can you really convey to somebody by bumping into them and chatting in the hall?

"How much can you really convey to somebody by bumping into them and chatting in the hall?"

You can listen to what the other person has to say.