For any student looking to enter higher education, research papers are a strong asset to have on a college application. Research projects demonstrate to college admissions officers that a student has done the work, gained valuable insight, and continually pursued their passion in their field of choice. To add even more distinction to their profile, students can have their work published in an accredited academic journal, where it can be peer-reviewed to further demonstrate the integrity of their efforts. But where should rising high schoolers publish their work?
To further aid our aspiring scholars in their academic endeavors, InGenius Prep brings you 10 research journals for high school students to consider publishing in.
The Young Researcher
Covering a wide range of fields and subjects worldwide, the Young Researcher is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal with a multidisciplinary focus on the humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Its mission is to encourage students from all backgrounds to pursue their interests, and it accepts submissions with no publishing fees. Submissions are accepted between January and April, and this Journal is a strong choice for students with a scientific or interdisciplinary interest.
Journal of Emerging Investigators (JEI)
The JEI is a journal for high school students focused on original research papers in the biological and physical sciences. In association with Harvard University, the JEI is a well-regarded journal with high standards for material written by middle and high school students. The JEI is a nonprofit organization that provides peer reviews and objective feedback to students who submit their research. There is a fee of $35 to submit to JEI. However, there is no publication fee for accepted articles.
Journal of High School Science
The Journal of High School is a peer-reviewed journal of STEAM publications. The Journal aims to highlight the ideas and innovations of high schoolers and publishes contributions in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). [1] The Journal charges a one-time fee of $35 per submission, with no other costs. All submitted materials are subjected to a single-blind peer review.
The Young Scientists Journal
The Young Scientists Journal is a peer-reviewed, international journal that operates in and connects with students from 50 other countries. It publishes original research across all areas of science and aims to empower high school students to share their knowledge and passions worldwide. The Journal publishes several types of articles and accepts submissions from scholars aged 12-20.
The Concord Review
The Concord Review is a journal that publishes academic history papers written by high school students.[2] Founded in 1987, the Concord Review has published over 1,500 research papers by high schoolers in the US and around the world. Essay requirements can be found on its submission page, and fees range from $70 to $150.
The Schola
The Schola is a journal that publishes essays in the humanities and social sciences. It is unique in publishing academic research within the international high school curriculum. Schola publishes quarterly and takes submissions from high school students worldwide. Students can submit multiple essays, and a fee of $180 per submission is required.
National High School Journal of Science
The National High School Journal of Science is a student-run research journal that publishes peer-reviewed research papers by high school students. The Journal is online and free, and it maintains a high standard for publication. Its scientific advisory board comprises professional researchers who peer-review each submission. The NHSJS publishes research in physics, biology, chemistry, and many other STEM fields and is a good choice for students with a scientific interest in one or more subjects.
International Journal of High School Research
The International Journal of High School Research is a journal dedicated to the research efforts of high school students. Students can submit “original research” or “literature review,” and submission is open to any scholar or mentor from any country. Once the article is accepted for publication, a $200 submission fee will be requested. IJHSR accepts articles from a wide range of subjects, with its general scope being in science, engineering, and math.
STEM Fellowship Journal (SFJ)
The STEM Fellowship Journal (SFJ) is a peer-reviewed journal published by Canadian Science Publishing (CSP). It is open-access and publishes student research in STEM fields, aiming to support young researchers throughout their high school and university education. The SFJ publishes two issues per year and charges a publication fee of $400 CAD after a submission is accepted following peer review.
Youth Medical Journal
Finally, the Youth Medical Journal is a publisher of medical-based research conducted by high school and undergraduate students. It is a nonprofit, open-access organization run by an international student cooperative. The YMJ has numerous sub-journals in the realm of medicine, including popular categories such as biomedical research, neuroscience, and COVID-19. [3] Submission forms and manuscript guidelines can be found on its publishing page.
Learn More with the Experts in Education
Conducting research and publishing a research paper in an accredited journal is a significant boost to the profile of anyone applying to college. But this is even more true for those pursuing acceptance into an Ivy League or top US school. Completing a research project and getting published shows college admissions officers that you’re motivated, dedicated, and passionate about your field of academic interest. These qualities are sometimes more important to admissions officers than research itself. It displays a combination of academic rigor and character traits that make a positive impression on college admissions officers. Especially for those applying to highly selective schools, students should consider conducting and publishing a research project to gain a significant edge in the competitive college admissions landscape.
To learn more about research projects and how students can make the most of their field of interest, See InGenius Prep’s Academic Mentorship program. Pair your student with a mentor, professor, or working professional from their school of choice and work on a compelling research project that’ll tie their college application together.
And for even more research journals for high school students, see our previous list, “10 Journals Where You Can Get Published in High School.”
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