The world of startups is ruthless. In my opinion, YC has positioned itself near its center of gravity by being a bit more ruthlessly efficient and a somewhat paradoxically a bit more humane. The humanity comes from being a more open about its process, more open about its thinking and providing a low barrier online application process. Sure, it's a lottery. But at least an introduction isn't necessary to buy a ticket.

I guess the ideal situation from both YC's perspective and a founder's is when the application is mostly exhaust fumes from impassioned existing execution: when the effort to produce the content of the application is something that the founder(s) are committed to independently of the YC process. Their goal is to add momentum not overcoming inertia.

YC is a popular game of chance. It's not the only one. It's targeted at a particular type of player, not everyone. Building something provides several other options.

Good luck.