Hacking Hackathon Admissions: Part 1
As hackathons become more popular, admissions will inevitably become more selective.
How do you ensure you have a spot?
1. Hack the application
Thought process:
Hackathon organizers want to accept everyone, but a limited amount of spots means only the perceived best are selected. So like any application process, you need to distinguish yourself as better than the next girl/guy.
tl;dr Make it easy for organizers to say yes: be impressive on paper.
How organizers read applications:
Most Organizers read thousands of applications. The average time spent on an application is 15 seconds. Having an easy to read application is extremely important.
tl;dr Make application readable in 15 seconds.
What organizers look for/why they say yes:
- Active Github (commit every day)
2. Awesome personal website
- Super easy to read http://rjvir.com
- Well designed. http://www.lucy.ws
- Focus on what you’ve built. http://helloben.co
- Get Feedback from Dave Fontenot
3. Front-load numbers and accomplishments
- Use one line, brevity is best.
- Links are really important (Avoid linking login pages. If an organizer has to login, chances are she won’t.)
- “Built app which has 2000 users that shows you where you can park.”
- “3rd place at Pennapps X.”
- “Best Sendgrid hack at HackDC“
- “2014 Thiel Fellow”
- “Built X while interning at company Y”
- “Helped organize MHacks with Vikram Rajagopalan”
4. Enthusiasm
- Organizers get excited when they hear you have a crazy world-changing idea.
- “Really excited to diagnose Malaria with an iphone at YCHacks.”
- “So pumped for Bitcamp, have a team ready to build an awesome hack.”
- Being active in hackathon hackers.
- Writing about the hackathons you’ve been to.
**Please comment if you feel a point should be added. (organizers especially)
