I just have to jump in here and post my experience, a different perspective.
I was about to start with WorldCo, after a recommendation from a friend about the place (although he never really made money). I never traded before them.
Met with a Team Leader, this russian guy Vlad (I'm Russian also wheee) at 110 Wall Street. Liked what he had to say, thought he seemed great as a person to teach me. They did try to ask for capital but we agreed that I pay for my exams and thats it.
This was like April 2002. I finish school, I'm still working a full time job which more than pays the bills and start taking my exams. Took me quite a while with a full time job and all, but in Dec-Jan I'm done and I'm ready start. The recruiting bitches tell me that I have to speak to my Senior Trader again regarding putting up capital since the rules have changed.
So I try for days to contact Vlad at work. No luck. I finally find out that he trades out of home now and I cannot have that number.
Bottom line. This was the guy that was supposed to train me? How in the world does this firm actually expect their new traders to make money? I mean, realistically, you gotta give a new trader some instruction.
After doing some research and reading around, I basically started looking for a new firm. I went to the Andover prop firm (Manhattan Trading) although it's just all Andover now. It's great for any new trader or any trader who is fine with being safe and consistently profitable. Not crazy lose 8000, make 10000, lose 20000 like certain prop firms.
Oh and since WorldCo did license me, I had quite a hassle trying to get my U-5 from them so that I can file a U-4 at Andover.
So basically, if you are a new trader, DO NOT GO TO WORLDCO. You do have to put up money and you will be nothing more than a retail client/commission whore. WorldCo is a retail operation, period. Not for new or not very experienced traders. It's mass hirings and firings. I guess they are trying to get the guys that are instantly profitable, as if trading requires no experience. What kind of a strategy is that? They put absolutely no investment in their new traders and this is has been a fact for year. Not just from my experience, but other people outside this forum.
If you are experienced and profitable, WorldCo will treat you very good from what some of the guys at Andover told me (ones that were at WorldCo at some point). But if you are good, does it really matter that much which firm it is? Might as well go to a good retail trading firm and trade from home with high leverage.
I think the guys on here asking what a good prop firm is, obviously are not good enough to just trade wherever and need some kind of an environment or direction (or you're just not good enough). Just know this, WorldCo is not the place to start.