YC Partner Dalton Caldwell gives insight into how YC admissions works and what makes for a successful YC experience. Transcript and lecture slides here: This lecture is part of YC's Startup School, a free online program and global community of founders. Register and join the community at Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 00:35 Why apply to YC? 2:53 Creating luck 4:38 Reasons not to apply 10:56 Properties of a good application 14:54 The importance of clarity 20:55 Great applications tell a story 22:01 Top tip for applicants 25:00 Your odds of an interview 27:10 No network needed 31:35 What happens in an interview? 38:48 Conclusion