-For your D1 year, I would encourage doing well in your courses. If your school does number ranking then it matters a ton. A lot of candidates I've known in the past/interviewed with were in the top ten of their class. If your school doesn't do ranking then I encourage to do well still because often times the recommendation letter from your school will say if you were "pass" or "pass w/ honors". Something similar to that tune.
-Other point would be getting involved with research, ideally with the ortho department but if not then not the end of the world. Stay involved in various extracurriculars if too (ASDA, ortho club, volunteer, etc).
-Establish relationships with faculty members as you will need a rec letter when you apply. The better they know you, the better the rec letter will come out.
**Not a lot you can prepare for regarding the application process currently. I would pick the brain of an upperclassmen as you enter your D3 year. For now, if there's a pattern I could I see from interviewing at programs is that grades and research matters.
