Should i even bother applying to vacation schemes/ TCs?

I've always wanted to get a TC as a Silver Circle Firm. I haven't secured anything yet, and i know that it is very competitive. I was thinking of taking a gap year to do Silver Circle VS applications (i've just graduated this year). However, i also don't want to waste time, and was thinking of focusing on paralegal QWE or TCs at smaller firms.

That being said, i know that if i qualify at a small firm, laterally moving to silver circle is near impossible in the future, so i was thinking it's best to take some time out and start in the big leagues itself (ie: focus on Silver Circle VS apps)

I'd love to hear everyone else's experiences that have been in a similar position.

Have you found it easy to find QWE at small firms, get them to pay for your SQE, and then move laterally to bigger firms? Does anyone have any thoughts/ experiences to share?