Last Minute Advice for YC Applicants

[icu]

Great article. While I agree that writing skill is incredibly important, I disagree with Mr. Tan's advice to just 'write lots and keep reducing your text' as the best way to go about writing clearly.

I certainly didn't learn how to write clearly at University and I had to write loads of reports and essays for 5 years.

I actually owe a great debt of gratitude to my first job out of University where I worked as an analyst for a finance and economics consultancy. The CEO was fanatical about making everything Plain English writing style. It was a trial by fire.

Anyway, my advice is to go on a Plain English writing course. The course instructors usually critique your writing and offer helpful insights on how to improve. If that's not possible, go through the guides on the Plain English website (http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/free-guides.html). I also highly recommend applying the writing principals in Style: Toward Clarity and Grace (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Style-Clarity-Chicago-Writing-Publis...). This book is worth its weight in gold.

[deathflute]

Thanks for the great advice. We would love to have you look at our application ;)

[thekonqueror]

First time applicant here. I was wondering, How should I ask for feedback on my application from YC alums without sounding like spam email?

[joncalhoun]

Are there any yc companies that would really benefit from your company? Reach out to them and ask them for feedback and explain that you chose them because you believe they understand the problem because they experience it.

[keithwarren]

I just did research, found them on their websites and emailed whatever public address I could find. Be direct, these are busy people so they dont want to read your life story when you are just asking them to review. Also, be ready to share your application - even go so far as giving them a sharing link to a Google doc with your questions and answers in it. If they have to say 'sure, I will take a look' and then wait for you to respond you may miss the window.

[the_economist]

Just ask! No one will think it's spam.

[paulbaumgart]

Be authentic in what you write. Spam mostly sounds the way it does because it's lying to you.

[thomson]

Send me an e-mail! [email protected]

[shenoybr]

Are there any YC alumni in the NYC area who would kindly oblige to have a look at our application? We'll buy beer :).

[joncalhoun]

add your email to your profile if it isn't already and I'm sure someone would at least look it over remotely.

[deathflute]

Let me pile on the offer. Along with drinks, I can help you analyze your data or advice you on your technology stack.

[ScottWhigham]

Odd title. It's sage advice but I struggle with the inclusion of "last minute". There's nothing "last minute" about this IMO - if you're having to figure any of this out at the last minute, you aren't the YC type, I would guess.

[katm]

It's "last minute" because the application deadline for Summer 2014 is March 28.

[malanj]

I might be being naive, but I don't agree.

We've decided to enter YC 3 days ago with an new idea. Surely the fact that we have not spent months preparing betas before the YC entry deadline doesn't effect our chances of building a $1B company.

I understand that YC is primarily looking for founders with a good shot at achieving that. I don't think that not having a clear idea of what we want to build yet is as important as our ability to figure that out by talking to customers.

Paul Graham keeps hammering in that a good founding team capable of thinking up good ideas and executing them well is what matters most. So I'm choosing to take that at face value.

[mhluongo]

There are plenty of super-early or even idea stage companies that apply, right? Seems relevant in that case.

[sixQuarks]

In one of the photos, in the background, there are several crock pots. What's up with that? What are they cooking and why so many?

[kevin]

Dinner. With over 50 startups a batch (75 in the current one), we have to feed almost 200 people every week. Hence, lots of crock pots.

[lalwanivikas]

Any YC alumni in India? (Preferably Bangalore) Would love to get some feedback on my idea/application. Thanks!

[togasystems]

Any YC alums care to give my application a once over?

[porter]

Should be first minute advice.

[Alexontwowheels]

Thanks for this!

[henry120]

Amazing advice.

[puppetmaster3]

I'm not a chick and don't have an axe to grind other than my business. Did not apply.