When you're seeking a letter of recommendation, you need to think about WHO to ask and HOW to ask
WHO to Ask
Throughout your time at USI, you should make sure to get to know your professors. This means participating actively in class, talking to them outside the classroom, and visiting them during office hours.
Ideally, you should also look for opportunities to do research with at least one professor and make sure they know your work well. This might mean working on an independent study project or helping with your professor's research in the lab or the field.
Take time to talk about your career plans and goals with your professors. Actively seek mentoring relationships and advice from the faculty you connect with best.
Those faculty? The ones who know your research and work ethic, the ones who understand your goals and values? They are the best ones to write you letters of recommendation.
You might also consider letters from other folks you've worked with closely, like the Director of the Honors Program or someone from the Multicultural Center. But at least one of your letters should definitely be from a faculty member who can speak about your academic potential.
HOW to Ask
Early. As soon as you've decided to apply for one of these awards, you should ask your recommenders if they can write you a letter. Ask something like: "Are you comfortable writing me a strong letter of recommendation for X?"
It's nicest to ask in person, but email is fine. If you're emailing, make sure you write a professional email that includes your full name and the context in which the person knows you.
Let them know: