I've always wondered if Y Combinator is modeled after the English university system. As I understand it, at a school like Oxford, you:<p>1. Work independently on your research<p>2. Meet once a week or so with your tutor to discuss your progress<p>3. Attend lectures during the week, but this is less formal than in the US, where you have to register for classes and get a grade at the end<p>At YC, you:<p>1. Work independently on your startup<p>2. Meet with Paul Graham once a week or so to discuss your progress<p>3. Attend 1-2 talks each week at YC that are germane to your company