I’m likely in the same position (final year non law) but I would try and see if there’s any legal or useful work experience you can do during the summer instead. For example I applied to this project with my university where I work with global universities to find solutions for non profits and I’ll try to use the skills and experiences in my next applications and will also try to do legal volunteering. I’d also start prepping early for the next cycle and know the ins and outs of the firms you want to apply to whether that’s LinkedIn, meeting trainees etc. I’d also if you haven’t keep working on commercial awareness by keeping track of current deals your dream firms are doing.
For now I’m personally going to take it as a gap year and work part time while applying for winter, springs for some and summers and will just prep as much as possible so I can get applications in early and at a high quality since I made it to a couple VIs and penultimate stages but simply didn’t prep enough. If I don’t get one however I will likely look for a paralegal role or begin my pgdl or in your case sqe. If you do however just want to get the sqe out the way definitely do that but I’d bear in mind not all firms will reimburse you (very stingy ik).
But even though I’m not an expert I’d definitely say don’t stress many trainees I’ve met from Cooley to Mishcon to W&C didn’t get the role straight out but had to do more than one or two cycles (someone at W&C did 6!)
I hope I was slightly helpful but if not I apologise haha!
