If you love history and want to show off that passion when applying for top colleges, few achievements are more prestigious than being published in The Concord Review. For over 35 years, this journal has showcased the very best historical research by high school students around the world — and colleges take note. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what The Concord Review is, why it matters for college admissions, and how to submit a paper that stands out.

What Is The Concord Review and Why Does it Matter?

The Concord Review is a global quarterly publication for high school students who write research papers in history. It is unique in that it awards and appreciates academic excellence in the subject by providing a platform where young historians can present their work. All publications contain carefully researched articles written in exceptional prose that showcase impressive contributions to the field of history. With an acceptance rate of approximately 5% — as low as some of the colleges these students target — being published there also gives learners an upper hand when applying for college admissions or securing competitive scholarships, since it proves their capability of doing self-guided studies and making new discoveries.

How to Write for The Concord Review

Choosing Your Topic

Here are a few tips and tricks for picking a winning research topic for your Concord Review submission: 

1. Passion: Begin by selecting a topic that genuinely interests you. You’ll have to spend a long time working on this, so it’s best to be passionate about the topic. This will shine through in your prose.
2. Angle: Find a unique angle or less-explored aspect of a broader subject. This shows not only creativity on your part but also demonstrates capability in offering insights into historical knowledge that has not been shared before.
3. Research Opportunities: Ensure there are enough primary and secondary sources available for your chosen topic by conducting a preliminary search. A well-researched paper relies fundamentally upon evidence to support your arguments and analyses. 

Doing the Research

As you work through your submission, follow this step-by-step guide about engaging in relevant research:

1. Begin by identifying primary sources such as letters, diaries, official records, pictures and objects. These sources provide accounts and evidence of historical events from people who witnessed them. Analyzing such documents constitutes your main contribution.
2. Next, use secondary materials like scholarly articles, books, or reliable websites. These give an analysis on primary sources, thus helping you understand the wider implications of what you are writing about.
3. Take advantage of resources at your school or local library, which include academic databases, e.g., JSTOR, and Project MUSE, among others. This also involves Google Scholar, where one can find peer-reviewed articles and other scholarly works. Your school librarians might even be able to help you get hold of rare documents that may not be easily accessible, as well as recommend more sources related to the topic under study.
4. Make sure you stay organized during research and take good notes. Keep track of where your information comes from and how it’s used so that you can cite it properly at the end.

Writing Your Paper

Formatting and Submitting Your Paper

• Essays should be between 5000-7000 words; the average length is 5500 words (including endnotes and bibliography). All submissions must be electronic, so there is no need to print or mail your essay.
• Ensure your paper follows strict formatting rules: Chicago-style endnotes and a bibliography are required. You should aim for at least 10 sources. Check some of the Concord review sample essays or the Essay Requirements page for more details.
• The submission should be made in Word doc or RTF format (not Google Docs or PDF). The file name needs to include your first and last names followed by an underscore and then the initial 3 words of the essay’s title.

The Submission Process

The Concord Review is published 4 times a year: in September, December, March, and June. An essay will be considered for at least the following 4 publications. Typically, you’ll hear back about a month before the publication date. Here are the deadlines for each edition:

• Summer: February 1
• Fall: May 1
• Winter: August 1
• Spring: November 1

They welcome submissions at any time of year, so if you submit your paper today, it will still be reviewed for the next 4 issues. Notifications will be sent out a month before The Concord Review publishing date if selected.

The sooner you submit your article for college admission, the better, since it could take up to 12 months to get a response (though, if accepted, this timeframe is usually shorter). For instance, if you are to join a college in January, ensure it is ready by 1st February of the previous year for it to be considered for summer, autumn or even winter editions.

There is a $70 submission fee, but it includes a yearly subscription to the e-book version of the journal. If you want a print subscription, the fee is $110 for U.S. students or $150 for international students.

What Happens If I Get Rejected?

One reason why this publication is so prestigious is the Concord acceptance rate - approximately 5%. So, if your paper is not accepted, think of it as a chance to learn. 

As with any peer-reviewed publication, you will get useful comments from experienced reviewers who point out areas where you can improve, recommend additional sources, and even advise you on how to make your ideas clearer and more logical. 

Apply such feedback to your future revisions so that you may grow into a better researcher and writer. Also, after revising according to this kind of feedback, consider submitting again.

The Importance of the National Writing Board

If your paper isn’t selected for publication in The Concord Review, there’s another powerful way to earn recognition for your work: an independent assessment from the National Writing Board. Sometimes it is even recommended to submit to both The Concord Review and the National Writing Board simultaneously.

Created by the editors of The Concord Review, the NWB offers a rigorous evaluation of high school history papers. Each submission is reviewed by two experienced teachers or historians, and students receive a detailed 3-4 page report assessing the quality of their research, argumentation, structure, and writing style. These reports can be shared with college admissions officers — adding meaningful context and credibility to your application.

Scoring a 5 or above on the NWB scale is considered just as prestigious as publication itself. For motivated students who want external validation of their academic work, this is a valuable path worth pursuing.

Learn more about the National Writing Board submission process here.

Here’s an anonymized excerpt from an actual NWB evaluation of a paper submitted by an AtomicMind student:

‍

Final Thoughts

Getting published in The Concord Review isn’t easy — but that’s exactly what makes it so powerful. It’s not just about producing a standout history paper; it’s about demonstrating the kind of intellectual maturity, curiosity, and discipline that top colleges look for. Whether or not your first submission is accepted, the process of researching, writing, and revising will make you a stronger student and thinker.

At AtomicMind, we’re here to support that journey — from topic brainstorming to final submission. If you’re ready to take your love of history to the next level, we’d love to help you get there.

“Many of our students report learning more about research and writing through the Concord Review project than they do through their high school classes. In this particular moment where AI is so prevalent, this kind of creative thinking and originality demanded by the Concord Review is exactly what will be most valued. At a time when shortcuts are increasingly enabled by AI, deep, independent thought stands out more than ever.”

— Leelila Strogov, AtomicMind’s Founder and CEO

The Concord Review Sample Essay Excerpts

We’re proud to share a few examples of essays by AtomicMind students who earned publication in The Concord Review. These pieces reflect the creativity, rigor, and dedication our students bring to the process.

"Keep Burning the Light": The Expansion of Women's Academic Opportunities During World War II

Lobotomy in the American Popular Media During the Early Twentieth Century

The Making of the Twenty Year Armistice: Allied Missteps at the End of World War I

Modernism Purged: The Silencing of Avant-Garde Music in Stalin's Soviet Union

‍

Reach out to learn more about how our team can help guide you!

‍

‍