Non-Traditional Paths to Success in Today's World

The only answer I can think to give you is "yes." I mean, aren't these things accepted facts?

If you went to a non-target school, things will likely be more difficult - fact. Certain "outs" like family, friends, connections, "right place right time" things matter more - fact. If you fuck up or slack through entire portions of your education, it will be difficult to make up lost progress - fact.

It seems you're over-thinking some really simple things. Don't complain - you have a job. Spin it into something that will allow you to work in IBD (if that's what you want to do).

In the end, I equate someone's career to fitness: the same way you can't be an overweight wreck your whole life and suddenly have washboard abs in 6 months, you can't be a slacker or even average in school and expect to break in to banking without absolutely busting your ass. I mean the "I get no sleep because I work 2 shitty jobs to support myself during this unpaid internship" kind of ass-busting.