Ask HN: What's the optimal time to submit YC application?

Hi gatsbysong, imho these questions are an order of magnitude less important than thinking (and building) your product and your application. Show don't tell. I'd add "don't count too". Good luck to you ;-)

I've been told by a YC partner (when I had basically exactly the same question) that the difference is negligible. Work on making the facts of your startup better rather than gaming the application process.

Focus on the message, not when it gets there. Sure, you want to submit before the deadline, but even if it's zero hour, as long as it gets in.