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I am slightly annoyed from the fanboyism glorifying YC between the lines. The post is full of good advice + quotes from PG and I highly appreciate YC's contribu
by tferris 14y ago
I am slightly annoyed from the fanboyism glorifying YC between the lines. The post is full of good advice + quotes from PG and I highly appreciate YC's contributions to the startup ecosystem but people shouldn't think that being part of YC is the only option. People like the OP telling us that they needed six attempts to get in YC send the wrong signal: that YC is the one and only way to get a real entrepreneur. PG created a great brand and yes, it must feel amazing going through YC but it could also mislead young entrepreneurs -- instead of building a great product they focus too much on the application process and potential credentials they might get from YC. You can get all the knowledge, peer pressure and get in front of any investor you want without being part of YC.
- argumentum 14y agoI don't think it's "fanboyism", and it's obvious that there are other ways to succeed than going through YC. Having been through it, YC is similar in a sense to a great university, except better. It's not a requirement to attend a great university to be successful, but it certainly helps. It's an opportunity to meet amazing and ambitious people, be inspired by them, and seek your own success. By the end of the program you haven't just "done YC", but you are YC. It's an experience hard to describe .. like going through 4 years of undergrad in 4 months. I wish more people could experience something similar, it would lead to a better world.
- iamwil 14y agoI started applying to YC back in 2005. That's why it was six times between 2005 and 2011. I wrote it assuming you already know what the benefit of YC is and want to get in, or that you know, but are on the fence about it.
- prawn 14y agoIt's specifically titled as advice to applicants, not "Should you apply to YC?", right?