Your best chance of getting into a prestigious dental school is to excell in your undergraduate work. It will mean less if you attend a very expensive and exclusive undergraduate school and have a B average then if you go to a state university and have an A average.

In addition, you should be volunteering or working at a dental clinic or office right away. You need to start mixing and mingling with those in your career field because you will need recommendations.

AND, recommendations from an orthodontist, periodontist or dentist (and more than one), will count a lot more than one from your anatomy teacher.

In addition, see if you can join any of the professional associations right away. Try to go to a conference. Oncea gain, it allows you to meet the right people.

During your second undergraduate year, start writing to the department heads where you would like to apply and establish a relationship. Ask to come for a tour and visit. Let them know you’re going to apply. (It doesn’t hurt, lol!)

Good luck!