The Concord Review Published Author

The Concord Review is the only quarterly journal in the world dedicated to publishing exemplary history research papers by high school students. Founded in 1987, the journal has published over 1,400 essays from students in 46 states and 41 countries. Publication in The Concord Review represents one of the most prestigious academic achievements available to high school students, with acceptance rates typically ranging from 5-8%. College admissions officers recognize Concord Review publication as evidence of exceptional research, writing, and analytical abilities comparable to undergraduate-level work.

Since its inception, The Concord Review has maintained rigorous academic standards, publishing papers averaging 8,000 words with some extending to 21,000 words.

The journal publishes four issues annually, with approximately 35-40 essays selected each year from hundreds of submissions worldwide. Submission numbers have grown from roughly 300 papers annually in the early 2000s to over 1,000 submissions per year currently. International submissions now constitute approximately 40% of total entries, with particularly strong representation from Singapore, South Korea, China, and the United Kingdom.

The Concord Review has gained recognition from major universities and educational organizations. Harvard University's admissions office has specifically cited the journal as an indicator of exceptional academic achievement. The National Endowment for the Humanities awarded The Concord Review a Chairman's Grant, acknowledging its contribution to history education. Notable alumni include students who have matriculated to every Ivy League institution, Stanford, MIT, Oxford, and Cambridge.

Submission fees support the journal's operations, with current rates at $70 for domestic submissions and $100 for international entries. The journal also offers the Emerson Prize ($1,000) for the best essay published each academic year and provides free subscriptions to school libraries in economically disadvantaged areas through its donation program.

Structure and Details

The Concord Review accepts submissions on any historical topic, though essays must demonstrate original research using primary and secondary sources. Papers typically range from 4,000 to 21,000 words, with the average published essay containing approximately 8,000 words. Submissions must include extensive citations following Chicago Manual of Style formatting, with published papers averaging 100-150 endnotes.

The submission process operates on a rolling basis with four annual publication deadlines: November 1 (Winter issue), February 1 (Spring issue), May 1 (Summer issue), and August 1 (Fall issue). Students submit papers electronically through the journal's online portal, including a cover letter, abstract, and the essay itself. The review process typically takes 10-14 weeks, during which submissions undergo evaluation by the editorial board consisting of history educators and scholars.

Evaluation criteria emphasize originality of thesis, depth of research, quality of historical analysis, clarity of argument, and sophistication of writing. The journal particularly values papers that engage with historiographical debates, utilize primary sources effectively, and demonstrate understanding of historical context and causation. Common successful topics include local history investigations using archival sources, comparative analyses across time periods or cultures, and examinations of understudied historical figures or events.

Students typically spend 6-12 months researching and writing competitive submissions. The research phase alone often requires 100-200 hours of work, including archival visits, database searches, and source analysis. Writing and revision typically demand another 50-100 hours. Many successful authors work with history teachers or university professors as mentors throughout the process.

The journal charges $70 for domestic submissions and $100 for international submissions. Additional costs may include research expenses such as archive access fees ($20-50 per visit), interlibrary loan charges, and database subscriptions. Some students invest in research trips to access specific archives or historical sites, with costs varying significantly based on location and duration.

College Admissions Impact

College admissions officers consistently rank Concord Review publication among the most impressive academic achievements available to high school students. At highly selective institutions, publication demonstrates intellectual maturity, research capabilities, and writing skills typically associated with college upperclassmen or graduate students. Admissions committees particularly value the external validation that publication provides, as it represents peer review by professional historians rather than just high school teacher assessment.

Elite universities with strong history programs show particular appreciation for Concord Review authors. Yale, Princeton, and Harvard admissions officers have publicly acknowledged the journal's rigor. Stanford's history department has noted that Concord Review authors often enter university with research skills exceeding those of many college sophomores. Liberal arts colleges like Williams, Amherst, and Swarthmore similarly value the deep engagement with historical scholarship that publication represents.

The achievement carries different weight depending on the student's intended field of study. For prospective history, political science, or humanities majors, publication serves as the premier credential demonstrating readiness for college-level work. STEM-focused applicants benefit less directly but can leverage publication to demonstrate well-rounded intellectual capabilities and exceptional writing skills valuable across disciplines.

Publication impact varies by selectivity tier. At Ivy League and equivalent institutions where many applicants present perfect grades and test scores, Concord Review publication provides crucial differentiation. At highly selective public universities and top-50 private institutions, publication virtually guarantees serious consideration. For less selective schools, publication may result in merit scholarship offers and honors program invitations.

Multiple admissions officers have indicated that Concord Review publication can compensate for relative weaknesses elsewhere in an application. A student with a 3.8 GPA who publishes in The Concord Review often receives equal or greater consideration than a 4.0 student without comparable research achievements. However, publication cannot overcome significant deficiencies in core academic preparation or standardized test scores below institutional ranges.

The timing of publication affects its admissions impact. Publication by junior year allows students to build upon this achievement through related opportunities like research assistantships or conference presentations. Senior year publication still impresses but provides less opportunity for follow-up achievements. Some students note pending review status in applications, though this carries minimal weight compared to actual publication.

Getting Started and Excelling

Students should begin developing skills for Concord Review submission by freshman or sophomore year. Essential preparatory coursework includes Advanced Placement or honors history classes that emphasize research paper writing. AP United States History, AP European History, and AP World History provide particularly relevant training in historical analysis and argumentation. Students should seek opportunities to write extended research papers beyond typical five-page class assignments.

The topic selection process typically begins 12-18 months before submission. Successful topics balance personal interest with available sources and historiographical significance. Local history topics often succeed because students can access unique primary sources through local archives, historical societies, and libraries. Topics should be narrow enough to examine thoroughly but broad enough to engage significant historical questions.

Research begins with secondary source surveys to understand existing scholarship. Students should read 20-30 books and articles on their topic before developing a thesis. Primary source research follows, requiring visits to archives, examination of digitized collections, and potentially freedom of information requests for government documents. Successful authors typically consult 50-100 primary sources and integrate 30-50 into their final papers.

Writing proceeds through multiple drafts over 3-6 months. The first draft focuses on establishing argument structure and integrating evidence. Subsequent drafts refine analysis, strengthen transitions, and polish prose. Successful authors typically complete 8-12 full drafts before submission. Working with mentors throughout this process improves outcomes significantly.

Key preparation resources include the National History Day program, which develops research skills through competition. University summer programs like Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes ($3,000-7,000) offer college-level history courses. The Library of Congress Summer Teacher Institute accepts exceptional high school students and provides intensive primary source training. Local university libraries often provide high school student access for serious researchers.

Advanced students may attend academic conferences to understand professional historical scholarship. The American Historical Association annual meeting ($50-100 student registration) exposes students to current historiographical debates. Regional conferences like the Missouri Valley History Conference welcome undergraduate presentations and sometimes accept exceptional high school work.

Strategic Considerations

Pursuing Concord Review publication requires significant time investment that affects other extracurricular participation. The 200-400 hours typically needed for competitive submission equals the annual time commitment of most varsity sports or major leadership positions. Students must evaluate whether this concentrated effort aligns with their overall application strategy and genuine interests.

Financial considerations extend beyond submission fees. Competitive research often requires archive visits, with transportation and accommodation costs for distant repositories. Digital archive access may require institutional subscriptions costing $200-500 annually. Some students hire professional editors for final polishing ($500-1,500), though this is neither required nor necessarily advantageous. Schools in affluent areas sometimes provide research grants, while students elsewhere may need to focus on locally available sources.

Concord Review publication aligns most naturally with humanities-focused academic trajectories. Students planning history, political science, international relations, or law careers benefit most directly. Those pursuing STEM fields should consider whether the time investment might better serve their goals through science research competitions or technical projects. However, medical school aspirants interested in history of medicine topics can demonstrate unique interdisciplinary thinking.

Geographic location affects feasibility. Students near major research universities, state archives, or historical societies have significant advantages. Rural students may need to focus on digital collections or plan concentrated research trips during school breaks. International students face additional challenges with language requirements and source accessibility but can leverage unique access to non-English sources for original contributions.

Students should realistically assess their writing abilities before committing to submission. Those struggling with five-page papers will find the jump to 8,000 words overwhelming. Building toward Concord Review submission through progressively longer papers provides better success probability than attempting immediate leap to publication-length work.

Application Presentation

The Common Application activities section allows 150 characters for position/leadership description and 150 characters for activity description. Effective entries maximize impact through specific details. Rather than "Published in The Concord Review," write "Published 9,000-word paper on 1919 Boston Police Strike in The Concord Review (5% acceptance rate)." The description might read: "Conducted archival research at Boston Public Library; analyzed 50+ primary sources including police records and newspapers."

Essays referencing Concord Review publication should focus on research process insights rather than merely restating the paper's argument. Strong approaches include discussing unexpected discoveries in archives, grappling with contradictory sources, or explaining how historical research changed perspective on contemporary issues. Avoid essays that simply summarize the published paper or overemphasize the achievement itself.

Interview discussions about Concord Review publication should demonstrate continued engagement with historical scholarship. Prepare to discuss how the research process influenced academic interests, what questions remain unanswered, and how college resources might enable further investigation. Interviewers appreciate students who connect historical research to broader intellectual development rather than treating publication as a completed credential.

Common mistakes include overemphasizing publication prestige while underexplaining actual research work. Admissions officers want to understand the intellectual journey, not just the outcome. Another error involves claiming sole credit when teachers or mentors provided substantial assistance. Acknowledging support demonstrates maturity and collaborative ability.

Supplementary materials strategies vary by institution. Some colleges allow research supplements where students might include the paper's abstract or excerpts. However, sending the entire paper typically overwhelms admissions officers. When permitted, a one-page abstract highlighting original contributions and key findings proves most effective.

Additional Insights

The Concord Review has adapted to increase accessibility in recent years. The journal now offers need-based fee waivers for submission, though students must provide documentation of financial hardship. Digital submission eliminated previous printing and mailing costs that created additional barriers. The journal's website provides free access to selected past essays, allowing students to study successful examples.

International students face unique challenges including language barriers and source accessibility. However, international perspectives often strengthen submissions, particularly when students utilize sources unavailable to American researchers. The journal has published essays in translation from various languages, provided students submit professional English translations alongside original documents.

Recent changes include increased emphasis on historiographical engagement. While earlier publications sometimes succeeded through narrative strength alone, current standards expect explicit engagement with scholarly debates. Students must demonstrate awareness of how their research contributes to or challenges existing historical interpretations.

College-level opportunities for Concord Review authors include research assistantships with history professors, often available even to freshmen with demonstrated research experience. Some universities offer independent study credits for expanding Concord Review essays into honors theses. Graduate programs occasionally reach out to exceptional authors about accelerated MA programs.

The journal has launched additional programs including the Fitzhugh Prize for ambitious essays exceeding 15,000 words and regional workshops for developing researchers. Summer history camps specifically targeting Concord Review preparation have emerged, though quality varies significantly. Students should research programs carefully, prioritizing those with successful publication track records.

Related Activities and Further Exploration

Students drawn to the intensive research and analytical writing required for The Concord Review often excel in complementary activities that develop similar scholarly skills. Those who appreciate the interdisciplinary thinking needed for historical analysis might find National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Internship particularly valuable, as it offers opportunities to engage in professional-level research with mentorship from leading scientists, developing the same rigorous methodology and attention to detail that characterizes successful Concord Review submissions.

The presentation and argumentation skills honed through historical research translate well to activities like Model G20 Best Delegate, where students must synthesize complex information, understand multiple perspectives, and articulate nuanced positions on global issues. Similarly, students who enjoy crafting compelling historical narratives often discover parallel satisfaction in creative writing competitions, with the Poetry Society of America Top Winner recognition representing the pinnacle of poetic achievement for young writers, demanding the same attention to language and meaning that distinguishes exceptional historical writing.

For those interested in the performance and interpretation aspects of bringing historical texts to life, the National Shakespeare Winner competition offers opportunities to engage deeply with historical literature and develop public speaking abilities that complement research skills. Students passionate about using their analytical abilities to create positive social impact might explore NCWIT Aspirations National Winner, which recognizes young women who combine technical skills with vision for addressing societal challenges, much as historical research can illuminate contemporary issues.

Some students discover unexpected connections between historical research and accessibility advocacy through activities like Braille Challenge State Winner, which develops awareness of how different communities experience and record history, potentially inspiring unique research angles for future Concord Review submissions that examine disability history or accessibility in historical contexts.