[jimhi]

That’s a shame. I know several founders who email specific partners who have in experience in their industry and they seem to get more personalized rejections

[the-dude]

Regular applicants definetly don't get this. YC says as much in the rejection email.

I guess it is all really easy when you are already connected.

[jimhi]

Nobody was connected when they started, not myself either. They got their partner contact publicly or from public events they hold

[the-dude]

Did they participate in the Startup School or other programs?

[jimhi]

For me and others who got in before that existed no. For those after, yes.

After this discussion, I think going to the inperson events gives you a bit of an unfair advantage to really explain what you have made.