You can’t hack your YC application, but here’s what to avoid

The Y Combinator application season is upon us. I have been through YC a couple of times and have reviewed thousands of applications as a volunteer in later years.

Typically, you hear advice focused on ways to improve your YC application so it gets accepted. Here are some tips on what not to do and why so many YC applications get rejected. I’ve also put down some advice about what else to anticipate and take into consideration as you navigate the application process.

In short, don’t overthink your application, and keep it simple and straightforward.

When should I submit my YC application?

The best applications are often those made at the last minute, because applicants do not overthink their responses and toil over details they think need to be shoved into a question. While I do not recommend submitting applications at the deadline because the system has had issues receiving submissions, you can capture the essence of last-minute submissions by being clear and concise.

Remember that your application should be good enough to get an interview, not win a prize. Go back to work instead of spending more time perfecting an application.

YC experiments frequently. For this batch and the last, there was an early deadline that would give accepted teams access to YC before the batch officially began. Applying early gives you an opportunity to land an interview in the early round and to update your application to be considered in the standard round.

Is it OK to submit my YC application late?

Do not submit an application late if you can avoid it, but late submissions are accepted if you miss the deadline. However, I would avoid a late submission at almost all costs. The process is efficient with published response times when you submit on time.

I have heard from people who submitted late that it felt like their application went into the ether. While that is not the case, most of the effort is dedicated to making sure that on-time applications are processed on time. Do not lower your chances.

Do I need to move for YC?

YC has traditionally focused on weekly in-person events. When I went through in 2012, it was almost required that you live near the original YC building in Mountain View. In 2014, we were encouraged to live near Mountain View, but the stigma of living in San Francisco wasn’t very prevalent.

After the pandemic, YC extensively retooled to be virtual only. I would not be surprised if YC has virtual and in-person options at some point, but for now it is virtual only. Even though this isn’t a requirement, it may be helpful if you cluster near your batchmates, but do not disrupt your current flow to do that.

What not to do

Giving the application reviewer a reason to say no

I have read thousands of applications as a YC reviewer and I’m amazed how many applicants can’t provide a straightforward answer to each question. When in doubt, read YC’s instructions and answer the question literally.

Avoid verbose marketing lingo and keep answers short and concise. Remember that most application readers are not from your field and need to understand the basic system, but don’t need every little detail. The more you say beyond what’s needed to form a basic understanding, the likelier it is that someone will be confused.

Poor word choices

A common thread among the applications is the use of phrasing or words that detract from the meaning people are trying to convey. Remember, the best YC application is one where an unrelated party can understand what you do and how well you have done it in the fewest words possible. Here are some words and phrases to avoid:

1. Overused industry words such as “revolutionize.” “disrupt,” “synergy,” “innovate,” “groundbreaking,” “world-class,” “unique,” “advanced,” “cutting-edge,” “exclusive,” “unique,” and “superior.”
2. It’s best to try not to describe your product’s potential with trite words such as “once in a lifetime,” “game-changer,” “magic,” “best of breed,” or “pioneering.”
3. In most cases there are words that are more specific to your situation. Avoid diluters like “super,” “awesome,” “literally,” “basically,” “definitely,” “golden,” “amazing,” “honestly,” “obviously,” and “great.”
4. You can keep a light tone without resorting to informal language or acronyms like “lol,” “haha,” “btw,” or emojis.
5. It can be easy to accidentally offend, so do your best to remember your audience. Swearing probably isn’t justifiable.
6. Everyone has rock star developers. Explain why your team is great in other words. Avoid words like “ninja,” “rock star,” and “guru.”
7. Some phrases only distract from your point — e.g., “kind of,” “sort of,” “just.” State your accomplishments and plans with confidence.

All of the above applies to your videos too. Keep the content simple and do not go overboard. Do not get too fancy or try too hard, as it can distract from your message. This isn’t a formal product video ad, but an elevator pitch for your team.

One year, I reviewed a submission where the applicant bought Facebook ads to promote their application, and it backfired. As the instructions say, you and your co-founders should take a minute to introduce yourselves and speak briefly about what you are doing. No marketing. The YC application process isn’t “hackable” and it’s best to avoid complicating it too much.

Make sure to do one final pass to remove any extraneous language and check for accuracy before submitting your application. Brevity and succinct writing is more pleasing than over-the-top copy. A good example was someone saying that they “started working toward launching a pilot beta.” The extra words made them sound tentative. I suggested they say, “pilot planned for November.” In some cases, less is more.

YC will accelerate your journey, but do not let it be the arbiter of your future. Regardless of whether you get into YC, focus on metrics such as user growth, revenue growth and generating profit. I see many founders pause and then stumble after applying to YC. Don’t let that happen to you — embrace second chances and opportunities to learn from your mistakes.

There is still time to apply for YC’s Class of Winter 2022 funding cycle.