The Concord Review: Complete Guide to Getting Your Paper Accepted

For high school students who are deeply passionate about history and academic writing, publishing in The Concord Review is one of the most prestigious accomplishments available. This journal, founded in 1987, is internationally recognized for showcasing scholarly history papers written by high school students. For many, it's more than just a publication—it’s a stepping stone to elite college admissions, competitive summer programs, and a future in academia.

However, being accepted is no easy feat. Fewer than 5% of submissions are published. So, what does it take to be one of the few whose work makes it into the pages of The Concord Review?

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know: from choosing the right topic and conducting scholarly research to perfecting your writing and navigating the submission process.

1. Understand the Submission Guidelines

Before diving into research or outlining your essay, your first step should be reviewing The Concord Review’s submission guidelines. While that may sound simple, many students overlook formatting rules and word count requirements—and this can result in immediate rejection.

Here are the basics:

• Word count: 4,000 to 6,000 words
• Citation style: Chicago Manual of Style (footnotes/endnotes) or MLA
• Format: Double-spaced, 12-point font, usually Times New Roman
• Deadline: Rolling admissions (submit at any time)

Why is following the format so important? Academic journals value consistency and clarity. Demonstrating your ability to follow guidelines signals that you understand and respect scholarly standards—something editors take seriously.

Tip: Download a citation manager like Zotero or Mendeley to help you stay organized from the start.

2. Choose a Compelling and Original Topic

The foundation of any successful submission to The Concord Review is a strong topic. What sets a great topic apart? Specificity, originality, and depth.

Avoid broad subjects like “The American Revolution” or “World War II.” Instead, look for narrower, lesser-known topics or new angles on familiar subjects. Think of subjects that offer you the opportunity to explore underrepresented voices, rare primary sources, or newly debated interpretations.

Examples of strong topics:

• The Role of Women in the Algerian War of Independence
• Agricultural Reform in Maoist China: Successes and Failures
• The Use of Propaganda During the Spanish Civil War
• Navajo Code Talkers and the Evolution of Military Communication

Original topics don’t have to be obscure. Even familiar topics can shine if approached from a fresh perspective or backed by thorough, well-documented research.

3. Conduct Deep, Scholarly Research

This step separates average essays from exceptional ones. Your paper should go beyond the textbooks—editors want to see that you've engaged with both primary and secondary sources.

Primary Sources Include:

• Letters, diaries, or speeches
• Government documents or legislation
• Newspaper articles from the time period
• Photographs, maps, and posters

Secondary Sources Include:

• Peer-reviewed journal articles
• Books by established historians
• Documentaries and academic essays

The ideal paper will synthesize both. For example, if you’re writing about the Nuremberg Trials, your sources should include not only the trial transcripts but also scholarly commentary on international law and post-war justice.

Pro Tip: Many college libraries and online databases like JSTOR, Project MUSE, or the Library of Congress provide access to materials far more robust than what you may find via a basic Google search.

4. Craft a Clear and Original Thesis Statement

At the heart of every great historical essay is a clear and well-argued thesis. This isn’t just a topic sentence—it’s the analytical spine of your entire paper.

A strong thesis:

• Makes an original, arguable claim
• Avoids vague or overly general ideas
• Provides a lens through which the rest of the paper is structured

Weak thesis: “The New Deal was important to America.”
Strong thesis: “While the New Deal’s public works programs revitalized the American economy, they simultaneously institutionalized racial disparities that limited access to federal benefits for Black communities.”

Your thesis should appear early—typically in the introduction—and serve as the compass for every paragraph that follows.

5. Create a Well-Structured and Engaging Narrative

Once you have your thesis, outline your paper carefully. Each paragraph should support your argument with evidence and analysis.

Key components of a well-structured essay:

• Introduction: Context, significance of the topic, and a clear thesis
• Body paragraphs: Each one should present a distinct point or piece of evidence that supports your thesis
• Transitions: Smooth shifts between ideas help maintain logical flow
• Conclusion: Don’t just summarize—reflect on the broader historical impact or implications of your findings

Remember that The Concord Review prioritizes clarity. Use academic language, but avoid fluff. Your writing should be as engaging as it is scholarly.

6. Revise, Edit, and Refine—More Than Once

After you’ve completed your first draft, the real work begins. Revision isn’t about fixing typos—it’s about sharpening your arguments, improving transitions, cutting redundancies, and ensuring every paragraph pulls its weight.

Set your paper aside for a few days before returning with fresh eyes. Then, read it out loud or use editing software like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor.

Pay close attention to:

• Sentence variety and clarity
• Grammar and punctuation
• Footnote formatting and citation style consistency
• Whether each piece of evidence ties back to your thesis

It’s not uncommon for students aiming for The Concord Review to complete four to six drafts before submission.

7. Seek Feedback from Experienced Mentors

Don’t revise in isolation. Share your work with teachers, writing mentors, or trusted peers. Ideally, you’ll want at least one person to review the content (for historical accuracy and analysis) and another to help with writing mechanics and clarity.

Ask questions like:

• Is my thesis clear and arguable?
• Do my sources effectively support my argument?
• Are there any gaps in logic or unclear sections?

Accepting feedback gracefully—and applying it thoughtfully—is a mark of a strong academic writer.

8. Prepare a Professional Submission Package

Once your paper is finalized, take time to prepare your submission carefully. Follow The Concord Review’s instructions precisely.

You’ll need to include:

• A title page with your full name and contact information
• A brief abstract or summary of your paper
• Your paper, formatted according to the guidelines
• A bibliography or works cited section

Double-check everything—especially citations and footnotes. Incomplete or inconsistent citations are one of the most common reasons submissions get rejected.

9. Submit and Be Patient

Submissions to The Concord Review are accepted on a rolling basis. You can submit at any time, but it may take several weeks (sometimes months) to hear back. Don’t let the waiting discourage you.

In the meantime, continue researching or consider submitting to other respected student publications, such as:

• The Journal of Emerging Investigators
• The Schola Journal
• The History Review at Columbia
• The Polyphony Lit Journal (for interdisciplinary work)

Remember, every submission builds your academic growth—even if you don’t get published on your first attempt.

10. Consider Mentorship or Support Programs

If you're serious about writing for The Concord Review but feel overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Many successful students work with research programs that offer one-on-one mentorship.

Programs like Nova Scholar, for instance, pair high school students with PhD-level mentors to develop university-level research papers. These programs offer:

• Expert feedback on research methodology
• Guidance on structuring arguments
• Support throughout the submission process

While mentorship isn’t required for success, it can dramatically improve your work—and your confidence.

Final Thoughts

Submitting to The Concord Review is about more than getting published. It’s about growing as a scholar, engaging deeply with historical inquiry, and challenging yourself to write at the highest level.

Yes, the process is demanding. It requires weeks—or even months—of focused research, writing, revising, and refining. But the payoff is well worth it. Published students often cite the experience as transformative, and many go on to attend top-tier universities, win national awards, or pursue academic careers.

By choosing an original topic, conducting thorough research, developing a strong thesis, editing rigorously, and seeking mentorship, you dramatically increase your chances of getting accepted.

So, if you’re wondering whether you should take the leap, here’s your answer: go for it. Your passion, discipline, and curiosity can open doors to extraordinary academic opportunities.

And remember—whether or not you get published on your first try, the skills you develop through this process will benefit you far beyond high school.