TC and Placement Dilema

[m-m06]

Hi everyone,

I've just started my second year, and I wanted to share my situation because I’m facing a bit of a dilemma and could use some advice. I’ve applied for a solicitor apprenticeship (TC for simplicity) at a boutique firm, and I’m through to the second-stage interview next week. I feel hopeful about my chances as I’ve had positive feedback on my CV and work experience, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know the team.

I applied to this firm early because of recent changes to funding for L7 apprenticeship routes. While on their VS, they told me that doing a placement year would make me ineligible for funding, so I applied quickly to secure a TC while eligible. I also genuinely liked the firm. If I get the offer, rejecting them now feels difficult, as it’s a guaranteed opportunity in a competitive market.

I then completed another VS shortly after applying and realised I prefer a different firm. They’ve said they’re open to taking me on for a placement, which has a strong chance of leading to a training contract, and funding/age isn’t an issue. However, nothing is confirmed until I’ve applied and been offered a place. Their applications open later in the year, so a final decision wouldn’t come until months after the first firm’s offer, creating a timing mismatch. Also, taking that placement would make me ineligible for the first firm’s TC because of the funding rules.

The dilemma is:

• The first firm is a guaranteed TC while I’m eligible.
• The second firm is my preferred choice, but nothing is confirmed yet.
• Taking the second firm’s placement would make me lose eligibility for the first firm’s TC.
• If I decline the first firm and the second firm doesn’t offer me a placement, I might regret not taking the safe option.
• How can I use the first TC offer as a safety net without acting unprofessionally?

From what I’ve read, SRA and Law Society guidance suggests offers cannot expire before 15 September of your final year or four weeks after the offer date, whichever is later, which gives students time to make considered decisions.

My main questions are about etiquette: should I hold onto the first firm’s offer as long as possible? Does the 15 September deadline apply in my situation? Has anyone been in a similar position, balancing early offers against firms they genuinely prefer? Could I accept the offer and change my mind later, as I'm only in my second year? I’d love to hear how you managed the timing and made your decision.

 

[ZNadeem]

Hi everyone,

I've just started my second year, and I wanted to share my situation because I’m facing a bit of a dilemma and could use some advice. I’ve applied for a solicitor apprenticeship (TC for simplicity) at a boutique firm, and I’m through to the second-stage interview next week. I feel hopeful about my chances as I’ve had positive feedback on my CV and work experience, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know the team.

I applied to this firm early because of recent changes to funding for L7 apprenticeship routes. While on their VS, they told me that doing a placement year would make me ineligible for funding, so I applied quickly to secure a TC while eligible. I also genuinely liked the firm. If I get the offer, rejecting them now feels difficult, as it’s a guaranteed opportunity in a competitive market.

I then completed another VS shortly after applying and realised I prefer a different firm. They’ve said they’re open to taking me on for a placement, which has a strong chance of leading to a training contract, and funding/age isn’t an issue. However, nothing is confirmed until I’ve applied and been offered a place. Their applications open later in the year, so a final decision wouldn’t come until months after the first firm’s offer, creating a timing mismatch. Also, taking that placement would make me ineligible for the first firm’s TC because of the funding rules.

The dilemma is:

• The first firm is a guaranteed TC while I’m eligible.
• The second firm is my preferred choice, but nothing is confirmed yet.
• Taking the second firm’s placement would make me lose eligibility for the first firm’s TC.
• If I decline the first firm and the second firm doesn’t offer me a placement, I might regret not taking the safe option.
• How can I use the first TC offer as a safety net without acting unprofessionally?

From what I’ve read, SRA and Law Society guidance suggests offers cannot expire before 15 September of your final year or four weeks after the offer date, whichever is later, which gives students time to make considered decisions.

My main questions are about etiquette: should I hold onto the first firm’s offer as long as possible? Does the 15 September deadline apply in my situation? Has anyone been in a similar position, balancing early offers against firms they genuinely prefer? Could I accept the offer and change my mind later, as I'm only in my second year? I’d love to hear how you managed the timing and made your decision.

Hi! Firstly, huge well done and congrats!

A few thoughts:

• Safety net vs. preference: It’s okay to think of the first offer as security, especially this early in your career. Many candidates do accept offers and later decide to move, so long as they handle it professionally.
• Etiquette: If you do accept and later change your mind, the key is to withdraw promptly and respectfully once you’re sure. Candidates do this, and firms understand it happens — it’s better than ghosting or delaying unreasonably.
• Risk management: Ask yourself how much risk you’re comfortable with. The first firm is a guaranteed TC now, while the second is an opportunity that could come through later but isn’t certain yet. If you’re the kind of person who’d regret missing the “safe” option, that’s valid to prioritise. If you’d regret never trying for your preferred firm, that’s also valid.
• Practical tip: If you get the first offer, you don’t have to decide immediately — use the time you’re entitled to, but also use that period to prepare your strongest possible application to the second firm.

I’m not 100% sure how the SRA/Law Society guidance applies in your case. To be safe, I’d definitely check with your university’s careers team — they should be able to confirm exactly what protections or timelines apply to you.

At the end of the day, you can only make the best decision with the information you have now. Hope this helps

 

[m-m06]

Hi! Firstly, huge well done and congrats!

A few thoughts:

• Safety net vs. preference: It’s okay to think of the first offer as security, especially this early in your career. Many candidates do accept offers and later decide to move, so long as they handle it professionally.
• Etiquette: If you do accept and later change your mind, the key is to withdraw promptly and respectfully once you’re sure. Candidates do this, and firms understand it happens — it’s better than ghosting or delaying unreasonably.
• Risk management: Ask yourself how much risk you’re comfortable with. The first firm is a guaranteed TC now, while the second is an opportunity that could come through later but isn’t certain yet. If you’re the kind of person who’d regret missing the “safe” option, that’s valid to prioritise. If you’d regret never trying for your preferred firm, that’s also valid.
• Practical tip: If you get the first offer, you don’t have to decide immediately — use the time you’re entitled to, but also use that period to prepare your strongest possible application to the second firm.

I’m not 100% sure how the SRA/Law Society guidance applies in your case. To be safe, I’d definitely check with your university’s careers team — they should be able to confirm exactly what protections or timelines apply to you.

At the end of the day, you can only make the best decision with the information you have now. Hope this helps

Hi, thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly!

I really appreciate your advice; it’s been very helpful.

Based on what you’ve said, I think my plan will be to hold the offer for as long as possible (or see if the firm would be open to extending it until January). If that’s not possible, I’ll accept it, and then, if I’m successful with my preferred firm, I’d respectfully withdraw from the first. I didn’t realise this was such common practice, but it makes me feel much more reassured.

From what I’ve seen and heard, the second firm tends to take on placement students for TC unless they’ve applied elsewhere, and they’ve also said to me while I was on their VS that they prefer to recruit from their VS and placement pool. Of course, nothing is ever guaranteed until it’s in writing, but that gives me some confidence.

Thanks again for your guidance, it’s really helped me get more clarity on how to approach this! 😊

 

[vera.mekhonoshina]

Hi everyone,

I've just started my second year, and I wanted to share my situation because I’m facing a bit of a dilemma and could use some advice. I’ve applied for a solicitor apprenticeship (TC for simplicity) at a boutique firm, and I’m through to the second-stage interview next week. I feel hopeful about my chances as I’ve had positive feedback on my CV and work experience, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know the team.

I applied to this firm early because of recent changes to funding for L7 apprenticeship routes. While on their VS, they told me that doing a placement year would make me ineligible for funding, so I applied quickly to secure a TC while eligible. I also genuinely liked the firm. If I get the offer, rejecting them now feels difficult, as it’s a guaranteed opportunity in a competitive market.

I then completed another VS shortly after applying and realised I prefer a different firm. They’ve said they’re open to taking me on for a placement, which has a strong chance of leading to a training contract, and funding/age isn’t an issue. However, nothing is confirmed until I’ve applied and been offered a place. Their applications open later in the year, so a final decision wouldn’t come until months after the first firm’s offer, creating a timing mismatch. Also, taking that placement would make me ineligible for the first firm’s TC because of the funding rules.

The dilemma is:

• The first firm is a guaranteed TC while I’m eligible.
• The second firm is my preferred choice, but nothing is confirmed yet.
• Taking the second firm’s placement would make me lose eligibility for the first firm’s TC.
• If I decline the first firm and the second firm doesn’t offer me a placement, I might regret not taking the safe option.
• How can I use the first TC offer as a safety net without acting unprofessionally?

From what I’ve read, SRA and Law Society guidance suggests offers cannot expire before 15 September of your final year or four weeks after the offer date, whichever is later, which gives students time to make considered decisions.

My main questions are about etiquette: should I hold onto the first firm’s offer as long as possible? Does the 15 September deadline apply in my situation? Has anyone been in a similar position, balancing early offers against firms they genuinely prefer? Could I accept the offer and change my mind later, as I'm only in my second year? I’d love to hear how you managed the timing and made your decision.

Hi @m-m06,

It's an interesting dilemma that you're facing, and I completely understand the difficulty of balancing a 'safer' choice with a firm that you think you prefer more.

It's completely okay to take time to decide what path you want to pursue. I would definitely try and extend the first offer for as long as possible. If the firm uses the voluntary code of recruitment for trainee solicitors, the offer should not expire for quite a while, and you should not feel pressured to give a definitive answer before you feel confident in your decision.

I echo @ZNadeem's advice - speaking with your university's careers team might be helpful for an additional opinion from an experienced professional.

Good luck!