calculate your own opportunity cost and sure you will get an answer. Our time spent to perfect & submit the application is fun and valuable, just as a reference.
if the reason to not apply YC is "time consuming and soul crashing at the end", we should not even consider starting a startup at all.
for us, we apply because we realize how much we can learn (why do we know before even get in? i have talked to a lot of YC alum, and 90% of them that i talked to are independent and in-depth thinkers, who suggest me to look at things from different angles. and we could only imagine how much more we can grow if we get in).
I actually forgot to mention that if you have a Master's degree, the chance for you to get an H1B work visa increases from 1/3 to 1/2 (based on these past 2 years status). But keep in mind that even your company hires you, the company has to file your petition by between April 1-7, and if you are lucky to win the H1b lottery, then you can start working ONLY after October 1. The problem (that is the hard part) is: not many employers are willing to wait for 6 months for you to start working. But again, this kind of logistics can always work out if you are valuable enough for your employer.
One important factor: depends on how well you do in the interview & how much you know about what you know. I am an environmental engineer turns into healthcare startup person, I got job offers before I quitted my job (and of course they sponsored visa to work in the US). But that said you have to do a lot of additional learning to make sure you know what you are talking about.
In addition, while experience is a factor, it all depends on whether you: 1. have 10 years of experience and repeat doing what you have learned 20 times; 2. convert the 6-month experience into infinite values to the company. So make sure you show your passion and ability to perform like a learning machine :)
Thanks for your well-thought comments! I think one of the YC alums is already doing that: https://picnichealth.com/.
What we are building is optimize the experience when you do info search. Such as we want to help you find: how another bike racers who had heart surgery make their decisions.
I am sorry to hear your struggle. I have friends who were depressed and I understand suicidal thoughts are in your mind.
Here are how my friends dealt with his depression: they have 1 day a week to do what they want to do alone: surf or run. I honestly do not understand depression, but accordingly to my friends, it is a moment when they do not need to give a fuck to anything, embracing into the nature really helps them to relax and the results are that they have felt less depressed and I can really tell their difference.
One thing I also noticed, is that they also consciously try to be positive. I recently read a few books about our own subconsciousness (e.g. power beyond your subconscious mind, Subliminal: How Your Unconscious Mind Rules Your Behavior, etc.) and it seems like once you "tried to be", you will start to behave the way your mind told you to. And yes, I also see my friend's attitude is changing towards life.
In terms of jobs, have you considered being a photographer/ocean researcher/forester/bloggers who broadcast how to fight your own struggle (sure you can make some $$ if you get enough subscribers)?
1. once you wake up, try to get out of your bed and do not snooze your clock.
2. figure out your sleep cycle. don't wake yourself up in deep sleeping.
3. make yourself sweat (aka exercise) especially after long hours of work. then have protein powder.
4. give yourself a 1-week vacation which you do not drink coffee at all. you are likely feel that the 1st coffee after your vacation is like a needle poking your face.
5. see a doctor (but honestly they might not know why) however you should get your blood tested and you may find out why you are so tired. maybe it is your nitrition.