Any insight on specialized banks like Eastdil & FTP for SA27?

For context, Im interested in a couple of verticals but dont have a super strong preference for a group over another when thinking about IB in general. For eastdil & FTP, heard they have super small classes and obviously are specialized in a sector (re & fintech). But am wondering if anyone knows if actual experience in the sector is required? Im interested in RE long term, for example, but don't know if my lack of Real estate related experiences will drown my story of why I want to work at Eastdil  /technical knowledge??

Any thoughts on whether it's worth trying to network for these more specialized banks?? thanks in advance!