How do you stay as focused for the 100th application vs. the first? How many hours a day are you working? Do you take multiple breaks? Do you have a set schedule?
If other YC application reviewers are reading this, I'd love to hear your response as well.
I'd also go out on a limb and say that this is a subtle message to applicants to apply as early as possible. PG is admitting that it is indeed difficult for the partners to keep their focus on so many applications throughout this period. Applying earlier gives the partners more time to review our applications and hence, our applications get reviewed thoroughly and they have more time to engage with the applicants (if interested, of course). Essentially, a win-win. Now that I briefly inferred/annotated this part, I definitely wish I had read this section more carefully. I resubmitted my application several times all the way until the day it was due.
Anyway, as a follow up to the posted question, how do you manage to continue advising YC alumni while reviewing so many applications? Especially the recent class (YC W13) that is probably meeting with tons of investors right now and needs the partners' guidance.
[1] How to Apply to Y Combinator: http://ycombinator.com/howtoapply.html
Damn it. That next question would be how does Travolta stay focussed white shitting on a Monday through Sunday.