The main thing about my post was to mention that oppertunities do exits to pattern day trade with lower amounts than $25k. Many are not advertised on the web and most can only be taken up if/when the companies feel inclined to take people on.
In a away thats how I first started years ago. I was taken to an office by another trader and introduced. I enquired if I could join their organisation. They took all my details, went away and thought about it, gave me the pros and cons of what I wanted to do and I made the descion to go ahead.