Our Review Process
As a journal aimed at finding and publishing the best high school student research, we are fully transparent about our review process. We have two publication cycles each year. Our cycle takes into account common exams and break seasons and works around them by reducing work for both authors and editors in these periods.
01
Submissions
Summer Issue: April 1st
Winter Issue: October 1st
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We accept submissions year-round, but please submit before these dates to be considered for the correct issue.​​
02
Desk Review
Summer Issue: April 1st - April 7th
Winter Issue: October 1st - October 7th
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During our first round of reviews, we sort essays into fields and reject essays we believe are simply unsuitable for THSJ due to reasons like plagiarism. You will be informed of why you were rejected in the desk review, and can appeal the decision if you believe it is unfair.
03
First Round of Reviews
Summer Issue: April 8th - May 1st
Winter Issue: October 8th - November 1st
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This is where the bulk of our decisions are made. Essays are rejected, accepted, or returned to the author for revisions. Essays dismissed in the first round of reviews cannot be resubmitted later on without substantial changes.
04
Second Round of Reviews
Summer Issue: May 15th - May 31st
Winter Issue: November 15th - November 31st
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Authors who had their manuscripts returned for revisions will have their manuscripts rejected or accepted during this round. Authors rejected in the second round may resubmit the following issue with little to no changes.
05
Typesetting
Summer Issue: June 1st - June 15th
Winter Issue: December 1st - December 15th
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Accepted submissions are formatted and incorporated into the final version of the issue. Authors will be shown the final draft before publication and may suggest changes.
06
Publication
Summer: June 15th
Winter: December 15th
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The final issue, containing all accepted manuscripts and corresponding acknowledgements, is released and added to the THSJ archives. Each issue will be published alongside the total number of submissions received.
CONTACT
By Students, For Students
Email: thehearthstudentjournal@gmail.com
Instagram: @hearth.stujournal