PE Recruitment - Bank/Group's role in MF/UMM recruitment?

Hey everyone,

Hoping to get some input from people in the industry who have a good understanding of recruitment.

This forum makes it out to be that if you work at say GS FIG, GS TMT, PJT RSSG, MS M&A, you have a materially better chance at MF recruiting than if you went to a strong group that isn't traditionally as well-placing. Is this really the case, or is it primarily self selection of top students into these groups?

If you work at a reputable bank with good deal flow that isn't considered AS prestigious by this forum (e.g. a BAML coverage group, PWP), will you still have access to the same recruitment opportunities? If the same person, all else equal, worked at MS M&A vs. Greenhill M&A, would you expect them to have a materially different PE outcome?

Thanks a lot for any help. I'm trying to make the best choices to start my career, and I want to make sure I'm informed.