4 ms·
The more accounts I read of the YC application process the more resolutely I feel that YC alumni recommendations are basically key to getting to the interview s
by sjtgraham 13y ago
The more accounts I read of the YC application process the more resolutely I feel that YC alumni recommendations are basically key to getting to the interview stage. I wonder if PG et al could chime in on how applications are ranked, i.e. how much weighting is given to alumni recommendations, alumni reviewer votes (alumni screen applications to prevent poor ones ever reaching partners), and partner votes. It would be cool to have some insight into how that worked.
- pg 13y agoIt depends which alumni. A handful are good judges of startups. Most just loyally recommend their friends. Off the top of my head, I'd guess alumni recommendations are a factor in maybe 5-10 of the 255 groups we invite to interviews.
- rdl 13y ago255? I assume that is per year, not per batch.
- pg 13y agoThat's per batch. 5 days x 3 interview tracks x 17 slots per day. Which is why we're usually a bit tired by the end of interviews.
- 6thSigma 13y agoI assume the number of interviews is a big bottleneck for you guys. Is the number of applicants continuing to increase?
- YuriNiyazov 13y agoNice binary number.
- plehoux 13y agoWe had 0 connection with past alumni and we got an interview.
- philipDS 13y agoWe've been recommended by two YC alumni for our W13 application and didn't get an interview, so this is not necessarily true.
- earbitscom 13y agoNo connections. Got rejected once. Accepted second time.
- rdl 13y agoThe strongest recommendation is of employees of YC startups who are leaving with glowing references and support from the existing YC founder to do something new. Those people nearly always get interviews, and should. It is also a benefit for YC companies -- "I know you want to do your own thing, so stay here for 2 years, accomplish a lot, and I'd be happy to help you do your own thing, and hopefully invest." is pretty compelling vs a job at Facebook for some people.