"Magic Circle" Vacation Schemes

I was offered a place on a "vacation scheme" by someone who runs recruitment at a "magic circle" law firm - I take it I'm not supposed to name names, so its one of Slaughter & May, Clifford Chance or Linklaters.

I'm not really too interested in law, though I am considering the possibility of doing a conversion course after I graduate, apparently this is a "great chance to get some neccessary experience". I don't really know much about the scheme, I really only know the guy a little so I didn't want to question him when he'd just offered me a place.

What I'm wondering is, because I already have something planned for this Summer whether or not I should take the offer up? Is it really something that is neccessary to eventually reach the top flights of law ? And would it involve actual legal work as opposed to shadowing senior members?

Take up the offer!! If you do decide to pursue a career in law - you will have like a 70% extra chance of getting into the firm that offered you the vat scheme (they told us this at a seminar at university, not sure if they exaggerated 70%)