> S16: 54.7% did not have a recommendation.
This begs the question: How much weight does a recommendation carry?
Or put in another way: Should you network with YC alumni in case you ever want to apply?
This begs the question: How much weight does a recommendation carry?
Or put in another way: Should you network with YC alumni in case you ever want to apply?
Absolutely, yes. It doesn't mean that you will certainly get in, but having a professional relationship with one or more influential YC alumni will be very helpful.
Like almost anywhere else in life, networking is an essential business skill to have and use.
> If 95% of applications are from pre-revenue companies, then the 50/50 split between acceptees which are with/without revenue would indicate that companies with revenue are 19x more likely to be accepted
Replace revenue with referral.
And it certainly can't hurt to network with YC alumni, for reasons beyond just getting a rec.