Requesting rec letters from me

If you were a student in one of my classes, and you would like to request a recommendation letter from me for a fellowship, postgrad application, or job application:

The USD College of Arts & Sciences recommendation request guide is a great place to start!

If you might want a letter in the future

If you think you might want to ask me for a recommendation letter, stop by my office hours to chat! I enjoy hearing about the kinds of programs students are applying to, and talking to you will help me get a better sense for you as a person so that I can write you a strong, personalized letter.

Come talk to me sooner rather than later, even if you aren’t applying for a while! The sooner you declare your interest in soliciting a rec letter from me, the sooner I’ll be able to make notes about your work in my class while my memory is fresher.

If you are requesting a letter now

For all recommendation requests, please provide me with the following via email after you have come and talked to me about your application plans:

• An updated resume or CV
• A 1-paragraph statement explaining how your experience in my class relates to the program you’re applying for
• A description of 2-3 specific ideas you would like me to highlight in my letter
• A list or Google spreadsheet, listing out for each of your applications:
  • The program website or job posting of each program you are applying to
  • The due date for each application
  • Any other need-to-know details to help me write a specific letter for that program

I must receive your initial request at least one month before your earliest deadline in order to guarantee consideration.