YC was worth it, but not for the reasons you might think` The author joined the Winter 22 Batch of Y Combinator and reflects on their experience, realizing that getting into YC made them realize all their time and hard work were worth something and they were ready to throw everything in to build Mintlify. They mention that before joining, they had a full-time offer to return to Duolingo, but chose to start their own startup instead. The author credits YC with providing the program's unique investment model, which invests in teams while being hands-off, and a mindset shift from purely technical to business-focused thinking. They also highlight the importance of group partners who provided guidance and advice on decision-making, as well as the community aspect, where they gained insights from user interviews with other YC founder peers. The author notes that while YC has its pros, such as providing a growth mindset and access to investors, it also has cons, like an intense environment that can be overwhelming and neglecting focus on product development before Demo Day. Ultimately, the author believes that the pros outweigh the cons and that YC is worth it for founders who want to build a successful startup.