Career In IB From A Non-Target School

Hello, everyone,

I've been on this forum for a while now without really participating.

Today I'm doing this first post because I really need advice.

I have just obtained my Master's degree in corporate finance with a GPA of 4.0 from a non-target school in France.

I got two internships in M&A, one of which is in a big four.

I applied this year to do an advanced master's degree in one of the top schools in France (HEC / ESCP / ESSEC / EDHEC) but I couldn't because these schools represent a significant cost and I couldn't find anyone in my family who could serve as a guarantee to get a bank loan.

I come from a rather poor family where I am the only person who has gone further than a high school diploma.

However, I absolutely wanted to do a summer internship in IBD. Without a top school, it's quite impossible. In France, school is even more important than your experiences.

Now my question is, how can I break into IB ? Can I try to apply elsewhere than in France? Can I start my career in a small boutique and hope to convert it later?

I'm really lost, I can't make decisions, all I know is I finish my internship in August, the big four where I am is not recruiting right now and I don't have any solutions.

Thank you for your insights