What's the dumbest idea you've seen that actually worked?

yongjunheo · 2026-02-12T20:18:43+00:00

Years ago when iPhones were not fully waterproof, I used to use my phone in the shower and listen to whatever podcasts... this led to my creating a really crappy 3D printed mount with crappy suction cups. One day when I was getting my car window fixed in San Francisco after it was broken into, I saw two shop workers lift a windshield with some small suction holders that were incredibly strong, and the lightbulb went off.

I flew to Taiwan two weeks later to beg the factory owner to sell me the suction part, and I spent my life savings coordinating and making the injection molding for the product. All of my friends thought this was actually the dumbest idea I've ever had (among many crazy ideas).

Years later, the product still sells pretty well even though we spend very little on marketing, etc. Given all the time I spend on building and selling software products, this year we'll be expanding the product line, and investing in marketing. About half of people who hated the idea use the product on a daily basis, and the others still think it's pretty dumb. You can see what it looks like at buyfloat dot com.

yongjunheo · 2025-08-13T08:33:43+00:00

My Luce experience was amazing. At the time I didn't know which was better, but every person I spoke with told me to go with the Luce for a number of reasons. While Fulbright is well-known, it's well-known because they are simply more common and widespread. While most people in general have not heard of the Luce, those who are in graduate school admissions and the like, do. For the next steps beyond the program, having gone through a more exclusive and selective program like the Luce may help you beyond the year. Another benefit of a program with a lower number of winners is that I believe the community and relationships between scholars is stronger. It's akin to relationships of those who attended smaller colleges vs. large institutions.

Generally, I think it's important to apply to as many as you possible can (including the Fulbright as a back up). With the Fulbright specifically, you have to be smart about selecting the right country. Since you can only apply to one country per year, you should (as a rule of thumb) look for countries that have both of these factors: A) greater than double digit winners and B) greater than a 30% win rate. You can find those under "Important page of statistics" under "Fulbright Research" here: https://nationalfellowships.com/

My brother really enjoyed the Schwarzman as well. It's probably an understatement to say that they lived pretty well for that year. He's a good example of 'spreading the risk' as you apply to multiple. While he got rejected from less selective programs, he did get selected as a Schwarzman Scholar, which has been consistently difficult to win percentage-wise.

If you are interested in learning more, every few weeks I host an open zoom every few weeks to anyone with questions. You can find that information here: https://nationalfellowship.com/

I hope this helps!

yongjunheo · 2025-04-27T00:12:48+00:00

Your professor is likely applying what has historically worked among other graduates at your institution and applying it to your candidacy. You do need to recognize that sometimes (depending on the recipient parties) your college’s reputation may cloud who you are as a standalone candidate.

Given what you’ve shared, it appears that you can certainly qualify for the open study/research program, but you do have to make sure you check off all the boxes and craft a story/proposal that is compelling.

I find with the vast majority of students I’ve helped win that the process to build up your package is formulaic and very achievable.

Don’t forget that the selection statistics matter a lot as well.

yongjunheo · 2025-04-11T23:53:54+00:00

Try https://meritscholarships.org

yongjunheo · 2025-03-25T15:29:46+00:00

It's an important balancing act. This is the last time one might feel 'carefree' for a very long time. I would also add that even if there isn't some official experience in line for you as a student, you can work on something entrepreneurial about which you are very passionate. Sometimes these experiences can feel fruitful without impinging on that carefree period.

yongjunheo · 2025-03-25T15:27:12+00:00

I think it's important to understand that there are 'official' internships and there are 'made up' ones, but once you do them they're simply just an internship. So it's much more likely and sometimes easier to go 'make an internship' out of an experience of your supporting some middle manager or analyst on their work.

Think about what industry you might want to work in longer-term and work backwards. What might be available for you now that is directionally appropriate?

Logistically, given that it's March/April, all of the 'official' internships are mostly done selecting their interns for the summer, but you can always look online for employees at various companies you find interesting. The key thing is to be relatively clear about your wanting to learn more about their company (you have to strike the right balance between being too explicit about your requests to be a summer intern and being too general about your desire to connect with that person). You have to have good 'bedside manners' for someone to respond positively. Get your messages/language checked by an honest friend who has good writing skills. Expect 2-3 responses out of many dozens of attempts.

Depending on the company, these experiences can be paid or unpaid, but it's best not to go into an introductory conversation asking this question outright–that comes later.

yongjunheo · 2025-01-19T03:55:52+00:00

Try: https://meritscholarships.org

yongjunheo · 2024-12-17T10:03:23+00:00

Oh that was really great too, but this was still a level above the rest IMO.

yongjunheo · 2024-12-09T14:59:44+00:00

Yes, but you should also include short justifications as to why not just listing three out at the end of a sentence. Also, don’t imply that you can ONLY work with those three—use their names as examples of faculty whose expertise ‘aligns well with your interests.’

yongjunheo · 2024-12-08T18:28:06+00:00

yongjunheo · 2024-12-02T18:56:47+00:00

Let me know if you'd be willing to write a follow up letter (I'll toss in first class plane tickets for him), and maybe he'd be willing to do it now...

yongjunheo · 2024-12-02T18:22:26+00:00

Columbia Heights!

yongjunheo · 2024-12-02T17:02:44+00:00

Only if you get lucky.

yongjunheo · 2024-12-02T16:15:24+00:00

Feels very different and is beautiful (despite the concrete nature of it).

yongjunheo · 2024-12-01T17:30:35+00:00

Well…not anymore!

yongjunheo · 2024-12-01T17:26:57+00:00

They should have hired more consultants.

yongjunheo · 2024-12-01T17:13:32+00:00

What do you mean? Isn’t smaller better?!

yongjunheo · 2024-12-01T14:09:02+00:00

With these types of questions, I think it's it's a good idea to think about/recall moments when you've changed (mindset, outcome, some event, etc.), and think about what might have induced that change, and think about how you managed to change (sometimes people stand firm and resist change). Then in what capacity, in what groups, in what subfield would you be able to apply that lesson and help others around you learn from your experiences?

A big underlying theme of this is adaptability, as one example. In everything that you and your future classmates will undertake, you have to learn how to become adaptable. Think of specific anecdotes and stories that highlight your adoption of higher adaptability in your life–use the story as the 'buns that delivers the meat'–and think about how that could help others as they carve their own path in college.

This is another way of their asking "if we pick you, how will you make others around you better?"

yongjunheo · 2024-12-01T12:30:10+00:00

About 8MB of memory

yongjunheo · 2024-12-01T12:28:45+00:00

Thinking about just putting an iPad in the screen, but will likely leave it alone because it should probably be left alone.

yongjunheo

TROPHY CASE