Smart people who put in months of studying don't have a 5% chance of making it into a large company after those few months. Google might have a 5% hire rate bu

Smart people who put in months of studying don't have a 5% chance of making it into a large company after those few months. Google might have a 5% hire rate but it's not 5% of qualified and heavily prepared people. And you can just multiply your chances by applying to more companies. With skill and determination you will make it. With skill and determination, starting a startup you're just buying a ticket to potentially making it. As you said, it only makes sense if your alternative doesn't offer you enough money to live comfortably and save as well, or you are, well, atypically non-risk-averse.