JACS 'Under Review': What Each Status Means and When to Expect a Decision
If your JACS manuscript is under review, here is what each status means, the typical 4-8 week timeline, and how the ACS transfer system works if the paper is declined.
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Specializes in manuscript preparation and peer review strategy for oncology and cell biology, with deep experience evaluating submissions to Nature Medicine, JCO, Cancer Cell, and Cell-family journals.
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Decision cue: JACS desk rejects 40 to 50% of submissions, typically within 1 to 2 weeks. If your paper has moved to "Under Review," an associate editor with expertise in your subfield has decided the chemistry is potentially novel and significant enough for JACS. This is a strong position. The review itself typically takes 4 to 8 weeks.
Check your next submission's readiness while you wait.
JACS review pipeline
Status | What is happening | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
Received | Administrative processing, manuscript code assigned | 1 to 2 days |
With Editor | Associate editor evaluating for desk decision | 1 to 2 weeks |
Under Review | Sent to 2 to 3 expert reviewers | 3 to 6 weeks |
Decision Pending | Associate editor reviewing reports | 3 to 7 days |
Decision Made | Check email | Same day |
The desk screen
JACS assigns manuscripts to associate editors who specialize in the relevant chemistry subfield. The associate editor reads the abstract, cover letter, and scans the key figures before deciding whether to send for review.
The desk rejection rate (40 to 50%) is lower than Nature or Cell but still substantial. Papers rejected at the desk are typically either incremental (not novel enough for JACS) or better suited to a specialty ACS journal.
If your paper has passed the desk, the associate editor believes the chemistry may be significant enough for JACS. That judgment comes from someone who publishes and reviews in your specific area.
What happens during peer review
JACS sends papers to 2 to 3 expert reviewers. The review evaluates:
- scientific rigor and reproducibility
- novelty and significance of the chemistry
- adequacy of characterization (every new compound must be fully characterized)
- clarity of presentation and logical flow
- whether the claims are fully supported by the data
The review process takes 3 to 6 weeks for most papers. Communications may be reviewed slightly faster than full Articles because of their shorter length.
Understanding the decision
- Accept: rare on first round. Almost always follows revision
- Minor revision: specific, addressable changes. Strong signal of eventual acceptance
- Major revision: substantive concerns. The revised paper returns to reviewers. Address every point
- Reject: the paper does not meet JACS standards. The decision letter includes detailed reviewer feedback
- Transfer: ACS offers transfer to sister journals with reviewer context preserved
The ACS transfer system
If JACS declines your paper, the associate editor may suggest transfer to a more appropriate ACS journal. Common transfer destinations:
- JACS Au: open access sister journal, still selective
- ACS Central Science: interdisciplinary, very selective
- Organic Letters, ACS Catalysis, Inorganic Chemistry: specialty journals
- ACS Omega: broad scope, less selective
Transfers preserve the manuscript context and sometimes the reviewer reports. This means the receiving journal does not start from scratch, which often leads to faster decisions than a cold submission.
When to follow up
Situation | Action |
|---|---|
With Editor for 1 to 2 weeks | Normal desk review. Wait. |
Under Review for 4 weeks | Normal. Wait. |
Under Review for 6 to 8 weeks | Normal upper range. Wait a few more days. |
Under Review for 8+ weeks | Polite inquiry through ACS Paragon Plus is reasonable. |
Decision Pending for 7+ days | Editor may be consulting. Wait. |
What to do while waiting
- do not submit elsewhere while the paper is under review at JACS
- prepare for the possibility that revision will require new experiments or characterization data
- if preparing your next manuscript, check its readiness while you wait
Related JACS guides
Sources
On this page
Reference library
Use the core publishing datasets alongside this guide
This article answers one part of the publishing decision. The reference library covers the recurring questions that usually come next: how selective journals are, how long review takes, and what the submission requirements look like across journals.
Dataset / reference guide
Peer Review Timelines by Journal
Reference-grade journal timeline data that authors, labs, and writing centers can cite when discussing realistic review timing.
Dataset / benchmark
Biomedical Journal Acceptance Rates
A field-organized acceptance-rate guide that works as a neutral benchmark when authors are deciding how selective to target.
Reference table
Journal Submission Specs
A high-utility submission table covering word limits, figure caps, reference limits, and formatting expectations.
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Same journal, next question
- JACS Submission Guide 2026: Requirements, Formatting and What Editors Want
- How to Avoid Desk Rejection at Journal of the American Chemical Society
- Is Journal of the American Chemical Society a Good Journal? Reputation, Fit and Who Should Submit
- JACS Submission Process: ACS Paragon Plus, Review Stages, and What to Expect
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