>You don’t need to “prepare” to apply to YC in any way. While you don't need to, I would think the chances of being accepted are considerably better if you are

>You don’t need to “prepare” to apply to YC in any way. While you don't need to, I would think the chances of being accepted are considerably better if you are prepared. Especially if you have factors working against you that YC doesn't like. Obviously joining an accelerator prior to YC doesn't count as preparation (more like making your startup radioactive), but it does seem prudent to have a solid YC application while being ready to nail the interviews if it gets that far.