Benita Saur, a teacher at Mandan HighSchool, says she prepares students for more than just high school, she gets them ready for the real world.

And because the real world requires the same type of responsibilities as school, Saur encourages her students to do their work, be on time and show respect.

Since those qualities aren't shown directly on a college resume, students must look for other ways to shine throughout their years in high school.

Starting in middle school, Cam Knutson, a graduated senior from St. Mary's Central High School, was active with student council. In eighth grade, he served as the state president for the middle level for state student council, and he honed his leadership skills as the state president for North Dakota Student Council his junior year. Knutson says he enjoys being a leader. "Leadership allows me to get out and meet other people," he said.

Bismarck High School senior-to-be Alaa Koleilat, who is very involved within her school, also looks at leadership in a social aspect. "Leadership has helped me a lot because I've learned to deal with many different types of people," she said. She is serving as secretary of the student council at BHS.

Saur believes leadership is a great way students can prepare themselves for college, and the rest of their lives. "Leadership is all about responsibility and being counted on, qualities students can't always find in a classroom," she said.

However, as much as leadership is important in the real world, Connie Armstrong, a counselor at Century High School, said colleges are mainly looking for level of difficulty in courses taken, grades in those courses, and ACT or SAT scores. "Colleges typically like to see students who are really focused and excel in one or more areas of school," she said.

Between extracurriculars and keeping a high GPA, Saur said, it's important to prepare for college as well as learning skills through activities.

She finds high importance in speech and theater activities, because "they're extracurricular and academic."

For Chelsey Hanson, a graduated senior from Mandan High School, speech and theater have played a big role in her life. Hanson is planning on majoring in musical theater, and she hopes colleges will admire her experience.

"By going through the audition process, I have learned how to take rejection as well as being able to think on my feet," she said. By allowing herself to experience everything about theater, through performing in Sleepy Hollow Summer Theatre as well as numerous school plays and musicals, one day she hopes to be a "legitimate live theater actress in a big city."

Being a performer in and out of school has become sort of a part-time job for Hanson, but she also has another job she hopes will expand her theater knowledge. She is a beauty adviser at Estee Lauder, where she sells products, gives makeovers and assists customers with cosmetic tips. And because theater also involves makeup, she is gaining experience as well as developing more relationships.

"You have to sell yourself to sell a product," Hanson said.

Knutson also has been preparing for his future with a job. Last summer, he worked for TNT Fireworks, which is his family's business. "By working with different people, I've leaned great social skills, which are needed in almost every field," he said.

As well as an out-of-school job, Knutson keeps busy through his involvement inside school. Through his experiences at school, he feels he is preparing himself for college with the lessons he has learned. "Being involved has improved my outlook on life," he said.

Another way students can prepare themselves for college is through scholarships. Armstrong said some of the best scholarships go to the students with the highest GPA, rank and test scores. But she said not all are based on those standards. "Scholarships are all different in terms of criteria," she said.

One scholarship program that doesn't base its scholarships strictly on GPA and ACT-SAT scores is Dollars for Scholars, which is sponsored through Scholarship America. There are 80 different volunteer base chapters in North Dakota, according to Lori Sayler, chapter leader.

The criteria for Dollars for Scholars varies from chapter to chapter, but Sayler said it comes down to work experience, community and school activities, goals, and unusual circumstances. And because the program is community-supported, she also said, "It's important for students to be involved within the community."

Between staying involved, maintaining a job, keeping up with grades and applying for scholarships, juggling all of these tasks can be difficult if students aren't managing their time.

"Managing time is something you build upon. You don't just jump into something, you learn to do it," said Knutson.

Knutson and Koleilat are involved with many activities within their school, but Koleilat said the more she's been involved, the more she's realized what her interests are. "I try not to overwhelm myself," she said.

Knutson and Koleilat are glad they stayed involved as well as kept their grades up throughout high school, because colleges are looking for a "well rounded student."

What they're looking for

Top 10 things colleges look for in a high school student: (according to teachers, students and counselors interviewed, and FamilyEducation.com)

1. Level of difficulty for classes taken.

2. Grades based on the difficulty of the class.

3. ACT/SAT scores.

4. Involvement and leadership skills.

5. Community involvement.

6. Work, as it applies to designated career.

7. A well written application.

8. Letters of recommendation that reflect students with their best qualities.

9. Out-of-school experience.

10. Special qualities that allow the applicant to stand out.