4 ms·

The biggest thing that sours me on YC is the exclusivity. They gets tens of thousands of apps for something like 300 spots. For all the criticism of artificial

by bko 3y ago

The biggest thing that sours me on YC is the exclusivity. They gets tens of thousands of apps for something like 300 spots. For all the criticism of artificial scarcity of places like Harvard, why is this different? As peter theil would say, competition is for losers. You shouldn’t participate in games that are zero sum and they shouldn’t pretend they have some kind of carefully thought out scientific method to determine who should get in. Half the companies I see in the batch are dog shit. A third of the companies are “ideas only” which is basically now an Opaque beauty contest. Just opt out and boycott these stupid status games

robertlagrant 3y ago
> They gets tens of thousands of apps for something like 300 spots. For all the criticism of artificial scarcity of places like Harvard, why is this different? How is Harvard artificial scarcity? How could YC do this any other way, when they have a limited number of staff and a quality bar to meet? > Just opt out and boycott these stupid status games Sorry - I'm struggling to follow. Do you think YC membership is a status game? I thought it was a real program.
- bko 3y ago
  Harvard could easily expand their student body. They haven't kept up with population growth. They could easily double or triple their size But it would reduce the prestige. Plus they're sitting on 50bn endowment. In general people look at admittance rate as a proxy for worth. Doubling the size means doubling the acceptance rate. The one thing many people know about harvard is that it's hard to get into, and by design. InI'm imagine yc is similar. I'm saying their bar is BS. You're not going to convince me they can meaningfully evaluate tens of thousands of apps.
  - robertlagrant 3y ago
    > I'm saying their bar is BS. You're not going to convince me they can meaningfully evaluate tens of thousands of apps. That just depends on how you define "meaningfully evaluate". That definition makes it feasible or not, I think. Companies perform some level of evaluation at scale on hiring, and it's not perfect, but it's not bad, I think.
liboshen 3y ago
My view to YC is more similar with yours than the OP’s actually. The red flag I saw is: they basically encourage every one to apply, no matter the stages, areas, backgrounds, etc. Their PR seems saying everyone could have a chance as long as you dream big. But TBH I doubt it would the reality. The lack of a thesis and target audience feels like more an exclusive club game. The selectiveness is part the product, leading to better chances to get following funding and talents. Ofc nothing wrong with it, but I think people should have a realistic view to it.
- tptacek 3y ago
  I have seen successful YC founders not get in with their next companies. There's a lot of competing applications. Getting in is not easy. But I don't believe it's a club. I have evidence that suggests the opposite. People need to stop conjuring up evil YC processes just to reassure themselves about not applying. It's fine not to apply! But if you're rationalizing it, consider that maybe you really do want to, and are just scared of rejection? That's normal too.
blobbers 3y ago
It doesn't matter. YC isn't some not for profit BS. They're not handing out free money. If its a beauty contest, it's because they think the start ups are beautiful. Expect them to take a half a million dollar bet on you based on their own metrics; as scientific or gut as they allow. Just because you think they're dog shit doesn't mean they are. And some partner at YC saw something in them and _that's_ what matters, no?

by bko 3y ago

robertlagrant 3y ago

> They gets tens of thousands of apps for something like 300 spots. For all the criticism of artificial scarcity of places like Harvard, why is this different? How is Harvard artificial scarcity? How could YC do this any other way, when they have a limited number of staff and a quality bar to meet? > Just opt out and boycott these stupid status games Sorry - I'm struggling to follow. Do you think YC membership is a status game? I thought it was a real program.

bko 3y ago
Harvard could easily expand their student body. They haven't kept up with population growth. They could easily double or triple their size But it would reduce the prestige. Plus they're sitting on 50bn endowment. In general people look at admittance rate as a proxy for worth. Doubling the size means doubling the acceptance rate. The one thing many people know about harvard is that it's hard to get into, and by design. InI'm imagine yc is similar. I'm saying their bar is BS. You're not going to convince me they can meaningfully evaluate tens of thousands of apps.
- robertlagrant 3y ago
  > I'm saying their bar is BS. You're not going to convince me they can meaningfully evaluate tens of thousands of apps. That just depends on how you define "meaningfully evaluate". That definition makes it feasible or not, I think. Companies perform some level of evaluation at scale on hiring, and it's not perfect, but it's not bad, I think.

liboshen 3y ago

My view to YC is more similar with yours than the OP’s actually. The red flag I saw is: they basically encourage every one to apply, no matter the stages, areas, backgrounds, etc. Their PR seems saying everyone could have a chance as long as you dream big. But TBH I doubt it would the reality. The lack of a thesis and target audience feels like more an exclusive club game. The selectiveness is part the product, leading to better chances to get following funding and talents. Ofc nothing wrong with it, but I think people should have a realistic view to it.

tptacek 3y ago
I have seen successful YC founders not get in with their next companies. There's a lot of competing applications. Getting in is not easy. But I don't believe it's a club. I have evidence that suggests the opposite. People need to stop conjuring up evil YC processes just to reassure themselves about not applying. It's fine not to apply! But if you're rationalizing it, consider that maybe you really do want to, and are just scared of rejection? That's normal too.

blobbers 3y ago

It doesn't matter. YC isn't some not for profit BS. They're not handing out free money. If its a beauty contest, it's because they think the start ups are beautiful. Expect them to take a half a million dollar bet on you based on their own metrics; as scientific or gut as they allow. Just because you think they're dog shit doesn't mean they are. And some partner at YC saw something in them and _that's_ what matters, no?