Meet the Author: Jenna Souto

Hi, my name is Jenna Souto and I am an undergraduate admissions counselor and proud alumna of Drexel University! I graduated with my bachelor's in biological sciences and a minor in environmental studies in 2023. As an admissions counselor, I help students in Alaska and the southeastern U.S. (Arkansas, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee) navigate the college admissions process and find the right fit for them, always a bonus if it is becoming a Drexel Dragon!

For most of the year, I am assisting students and families with the application process and giving presentations about a Drexel education.

During my time at Drexel, I conducted student research, participated in the cooperative education program (co-op), and created my community in the city. After my first year, I participated in the Students Tackling Advanced Research (STAR) Scholar's Program, where I got to conduct my own research project and field research in the Ornithology department at the Academy of Natural Sciences. I continued research for my first and second co-ops where I further developed my professional résumé. For my last co-op, I helped train working dogs at Penn Vet Working Dog Center. I learned how search and rescue dogs sniff out people trapped in building collapses and how police canines assist officers. With each co-op, I learned how to navigate the working environment as a young professional and learned what I want and do not want in a career.

I also was a student ambassador giving tours of campus and sharing my experiences with high school students. Outside of tours, I had the opportunity to be the director of recruitment for my sorority Delta Gamma and help prospective members find their home in Greek life. When an admissions role at Drexel opened, I reflected on what I wanted out of a career and what made me happy — which was sharing my professional and personal experiences at Drexel and helping others find their own path.

As an admissions counselor, I get to wear many hats. For most of the year, I am assisting students and families with the application process and giving presentations about a Drexel education. I get to travel to my territories during the fall and spring to meet with students and counselors at college fairs (the warm Florida weather is always a bonus). When I get back from travel season, I read the applications of the students I met on the road and help decide if Drexel is the right fit for them.

Junior and senior year can be very stressful from SATs to finding the right college fit academically, socially, and financially. Take it from me, it is okay if life does not go according to plan or on the right timeline. I would not have the experiences, friendships or life in Philadelphia if it were not for the combined experiences above.