Odds of Getting In
Antiquing is a common hobby, but just being a consumer can be prohibitively pricey. Thus, the field is flooded with wannabe dealers, making competition for jobs and customers stiff. The best time to get in is when you're young, when an employer won't hesitate to offer you a position with minimal pay. That's okay—breaking in is breaking in. If you get that first job, you'll gain the contacts and knowledge you need to move forward, assuming you have what it takes.
To get that first job, you have to be ferocious. Sharpen your social skills, because these are crucial to every class you take and every job you apply for. Study history, art history, communications, and business, and try to intern at an art or antiques shop, dealership, or auction house.
Remember the golden rule of success: Learn from your failures and never give up. Just don't take on any risks you can't handle—there will come a time where you may feel comfortable investing your own money, but that comes later. For now, just do your best to look like a highly impressive young person that any employer would be lucky to have on the team.