Strategy for Spring Weeks vs. Summer Internships After First Year (UK Target)

I’ve just finished my first year at a UK target uni. I did a spring week but didn’t convert it. I noticed that many people who did convert had reapplied to spring weeks after doing them the previous year (i.e., they were a year older, either reapplying or on 4-year courses, some doing even Masters at Oxford).

Now, as a second-year, I’m debating whether to:

  1. Reapply to spring weeks (despite them being aimed at first-years), leveraging my extra knowledge vs. clueless first-years, to secure a top BB/EB summer internship early. If successful, I could then reapply for summers again next year if needed.
    1. Tactical note: People get around the "first-year only" rule by saying they’re on/considering a 4-year course (e.g., study abroad, integrated master’s), then "switch back" to 3 years later. Others plan to do a 1-year master’s, effectively making their total study 4 years. However I might do a 4 yr course if I get into a top US uni.
  2. Skip springs entirely and focus on summer internship apps this year, then reapply for summers next year if I don’t land a top offer. Essentially getting 2 chances at summers.

Question:

  • Is reapplying to spring weeks as a second-year a viable strategy to fast-track a strong summer offer, or is it better to go all-in on summer apps now and recycle summers next year if necessary?

Thanks for any advice!

6 Comments
 

Are you sure its possible to apply both? I've heard that they can recognise if you applied both Springs & Summer at the same firm and that would ruin your application...

 

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