3 ms·

pg could correct me on this if i'm wrong, but i get the impression that harj is already vetting all the applications.

jackowayed 17y ago
From the blog post pg linked to above: >we say that "groups that apply early have a significant advantage." We're referring to Harj, who has already started to engage with groups that seem promising. Sounds like he's reading the apps and contacting groups if he thinks anything is unclear. All 4 YC partners read them all, at least officially. As volume of applications gets even more ridiculous, I could forsee a future where he screens them all and marks them either "skim" or "read", where skim means "I'm pretty sure they have no hope, just skim it it make sure I didn't miss anything" and read means "I'd definitely consider interviewing them." but they're probably reluctant to do that since it's important that they get the best groups possible, and I highly doubt they'd do that on harj's first cycle. They'll have to be really comfortable with his judgment before they let him prejudice their readings of applications.
- nlabs 17y ago
  To cut down the volume of applications, YC should charge an application fee, like most colleges. That will quickly filter out the crap. An app fee is not evil. Id pay $25 or so to guarantee honest, thoughtful consideration by the YC 4.
Harj 17y ago
no, everyone on the team reviews the apps. i'm just contacting groups that seem interesting but i want to have some more information about. if you applied early you had a higher chance of being contacted, which is an advantage since you have an extra opportunity to impress.
- chrischen 17y ago
  I'm just wondering, if we don't get contacted and we applied early, is that a bad sign?
  - Harj 17y ago
    no don't read anything into it, there are only so many applicants I can reach out to. there's almost certainly far more that I haven't looked at yet than ones I've looked at and decided not to contact.
    - nlabs 17y ago
      Whew. I got really upset when I heard another group that has my same idea was contacted by you and I wasnt. Thanks for clarifying.
- deleted 17y ago
  [deleted]

From the blog post pg linked to above: >we say that "groups that apply early have a significant advantage." We're referring to Harj, who has already started to engage with groups that seem promising. Sounds like he's reading the apps and contacting groups if he thinks anything is unclear. All 4 YC partners read them all, at least officially. As volume of applications gets even more ridiculous, I could forsee a future where he screens them all and marks them either "skim" or "read", where skim means "I'm pretty sure they have no hope, just skim it it make sure I didn't miss anything" and read means "I'd definitely consider interviewing them." but they're probably reluctant to do that since it's important that they get the best groups possible, and I highly doubt they'd do that on harj's first cycle. They'll have to be really comfortable with his judgment before they let him prejudice their readings of applications.

nlabs 17y ago
To cut down the volume of applications, YC should charge an application fee, like most colleges. That will quickly filter out the crap. An app fee is not evil. Id pay $25 or so to guarantee honest, thoughtful consideration by the YC 4.

Harj 17y ago

no, everyone on the team reviews the apps. i'm just contacting groups that seem interesting but i want to have some more information about. if you applied early you had a higher chance of being contacted, which is an advantage since you have an extra opportunity to impress.

chrischen 17y ago
I'm just wondering, if we don't get contacted and we applied early, is that a bad sign?
- Harj 17y ago
  no don't read anything into it, there are only so many applicants I can reach out to. there's almost certainly far more that I haven't looked at yet than ones I've looked at and decided not to contact.
  - nlabs 17y ago
    Whew. I got really upset when I heard another group that has my same idea was contacted by you and I wasnt. Thanks for clarifying.
deleted 17y ago
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