Having followed the hiring trends at Y Combinator startups like Lemonaid, I’ve realized that success in this environment goes far beyond traditional academics. One piece of advice that stands out is the importance of demonstrating real talent through concrete projects and initiatives that you’ve led or contributed to outside of your academic life. This could be a side project, involvement in campus clubs, or even social media initiatives — whatever reflects your ability to take action independently. Startup jobs are known to be demanding, often requiring a commitment of 7 days a week, as emphasized by Lemonaid’s team members. This kind of dedication is a clear filter used during hiring and means candidates need to be mentally prepared for the fast-paced, highly involved nature of startup work. From my own experiences and conversations with people in YC companies, I’ve learned that passion and resilience often outweigh GPA. Recruiters rarely look at grades; instead, they focus on what you’ve built and how proactively you’ve solved problems. This mindset shift is essential for anyone wanting to thrive in a startup environment. In summary, if you want to get hired at a Y Combinator startup like Lemonaid, focus on building a portfolio of relevant projects and be ready to demonstrate your motivation and endurance. Being adaptable and showing that you can thrive in a startup grind will set you apart in a competitive applicant pool.