I think this is totally valid and for YC, scaling has obvious advantages (more chances of finding the next hit).
For founders, the reality is that the scaling of YC, fairly or not, does change the perception of being admitted into YC, in that having a larger class size gives off the impression (whether true or not), that the program is no longer as highly-selective/elite. For what it’s worth, I don’t think YC is at that stage and I don’t think the expansion dilutes the YC name (this isn’t like TEDx). There is a big gulf between admitting everyone and expanding class size the way they have been expanded now. Still, as I said, an increased class size can absolutely change the perception, amongst applicants, alumni, or outsiders, that the program is no longer as “elite.”
This isn’t unique to YC. Elite colleges and universities are often artificially limited in their admission figures (Harvard College has about 6600 undergrads whereas Harvard University has like 14,000 graduate students across the different schools and programs) and while some have attempted scale through either extension schools or online programs, there is a not insignificant social construct surrounding the idea of keeping something deemed “elite,” selective.
So everything you write is true. But it’s also true that the perception of scaling can be negative in some ways, even if the program isn’t actually diluted.
For founders, the reality is that the scaling of YC, fairly or not, does change the perception of being admitted into YC, in that having a larger class size gives off the impression (whether true or not), that the program is no longer as highly-selective/elite. For what it’s worth, I don’t think YC is at that stage and I don’t think the expansion dilutes the YC name (this isn’t like TEDx). There is a big gulf between admitting everyone and expanding class size the way they have been expanded now. Still, as I said, an increased class size can absolutely change the perception, amongst applicants, alumni, or outsiders, that the program is no longer as “elite.”
This isn’t unique to YC. Elite colleges and universities are often artificially limited in their admission figures (Harvard College has about 6600 undergrads whereas Harvard University has like 14,000 graduate students across the different schools and programs) and while some have attempted scale through either extension schools or online programs, there is a not insignificant social construct surrounding the idea of keeping something deemed “elite,” selective.
So everything you write is true. But it’s also true that the perception of scaling can be negative in some ways, even if the program isn’t actually diluted.