My attempt to earn a funded account with TopStep

jtlexington said:
It'd be interesting to see a side by side comparison of the various programs with the key factors, granted I think we all know what they are.

I wonder if the SMB only 1 step is a good thing thing. I took a quick look and looks like you need 15 trading days. Basically same days as TST but at least with TST you don't have to go all the way back if you are on level 2 and break a rule. As well I saw on SMB it said if you make the goals and still have X days left and basically just do tic tac trades to make it to 15, those won't count.

Granted, I feel like people (from my short observation on various forums and videos) are looking to scrape by to get funded and as quickly as possible. With that mindset it doesn't really matter which program since most will fail. I come at it from both sides though since I'm one of the ones in the TST level 1 trying to get by with minimal/no resets and just get to funded, all the while boning up on education and learn.

The stats definitely aren't appealing on the success levels and profits in any case.

One last point I just thought of - if you know - is 91 traders funded meaning 91 new traders funded, or there are 91 total funded traders. Sadly the numbers might be even worse if those are just new traders, and there's actually say 500 or 1000 total funded traders only withdrawing $87K.
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jtlexington,

Stop bullshitting around man. Get in SMB or TST and start trading to make money. Stop bullshitting looking for a perfection situation. And focus on NOT losing when trading. Way too much time talking about SMB or TST, all that shit don't matter. Start trading the market and make money.
 
SelfMadeDude said:
So after a few months of resets and monthly renewals, I am now trading a "Pro-Funded" account.

I will keep you guys updated on my progress.

You can also follow my journey at www.selfmadedu.de
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Great job! Curious what your plan is once you make the first $5K and move to funded, if you plan on taking any out to basically recoup your costs, or leave it all as a buffer and worry about withdraws later?

I read someone else who said they took $2K out, left $3K and are working with that. Seems kind of what I was thinking (still mid-Step 2 myself, so down the road), but just to basically recoup any costs so far, a bit of profit, and still have a balance to work with.

Either way congrats! Ill bookmark your site to keep tabs.
 
Not sure - I will play it by ear.

It will also depend on how they operate for "true funded traders" -- right now, I am in my Pro-Account but so far, so good. For example, they gave me my Pro-Account a few hours after the close of trading on my 10th day which was pretty impressive.

I'll update everyone on my progress on my blog.

Good Luck!
 
SelfMadeDude said:
So after a few months of resets and monthly renewals, I am now trading a "Pro-Funded" account.

I will keep you guys updated on my progress.

You can also follow my journey at www.selfmadedu.de
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Would you mind disclosing what $ amount you have spent so far in these trials and what ACTUAL funding you got ( not notional but actual)
 
traderjo,

I think you can get an overall sense of the investment I put in -- "So after a few months of resets and monthly renewals..." -- simple math, you don't need a specific dollar amount.

I am trading the $150K account but that is irrelevant -- I just need 2 contracts...more than enough for my strategy regardless of the specific future contract.

My experience has been very good with TST up to this point, and I imagine that it will continue
 
OK you don't have to disclose anything ...but in the spirit of sharing everything success and failure I was inquiring
Main reason to ask was to work out break even hence the $150K account question
If one passes in min no of resets then it is more attractive sure.
However the account size is relevant
That is not real 150K in a account? it sounds like it is notional so depending upon margin requirement of whatever one is trading + is it Day trading only or overnight will showcase the REAL funding.
Day trading
If FCMs margin is only $1000 per 1 contract ( any contract) then the "Notional" funded amount is the 1 contract size
1ES I can fund anybody for day trading with just $1000 in a/c and CLAIM that I have funded the tarder to the tune of say 150,000 ( assuming say ES is @3000)
Same ES for overnight I as a funding company need to fork out $12000/13000 or whatever the current margin from FCM is
So the entire business model changes
It is that marketing catchphrase of "We fund you $150,000" that is bit questionable
IN reality how many think that they are getting to trade an account with actual 150K ? and how many KNOW that it is just $150K notional?
Yes I know it does not matter to you as you want to trade only 2 contracts at a time ..
 
They's not giving 150K to manage. Max trailing drawdown is 4.5K so that's what they really giving and people build from there if they are capable.

The rest is just to confuse people, pretending they're giving more than what it is. They could put there 1M ou 100M but if the trailing drawdown is 4.5K that's what one gets. The rest is just marketing.
 
SumZero said:
They's not giving 150K to manage. Max trailing drawdown is 4.5K so that's what they really giving and people build from there if they are capable.

The rest is just to confuse people, pretending they're giving more than what it is. They could put there 1M ou 100M but if the trailing drawdown is 4.5K that's what one gets. The rest is just marketing.
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Yes agree ..correct deceptive marketing
 
I dont get why people do this shit. If you want to become a daytrader start in your holidays. proceed with the earnings on a low scale. If it works do some more after the holidays. After a few months get some funds (bank loan). It's advised to do sim trading before starting out the ehole process but definetly don't waste your time with carrot sticks. Their conditions are DESIGNED to take you out.
 
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