RSC Advances 'Under Review': What Each Status Means and When to Expect a Decision
If your RSC Advances submission shows Under Review, here is what each status means and when to follow up.
What to do next
Already submitted to RSC Advances? Use this page to interpret the status and choose the next step.
The useful next step is understanding what the status usually means at RSC Advances, how long the wait normally runs, and when a follow-up is actually reasonable.
RSC Advances review timeline: what the data shows
Time to first decision is the most actionable number. What happens after varies by manuscript and reviewer availability.
What shapes the timeline
- Desk decisions are fast. Scope problems surface within days.
- Reviewer availability is the main variable after triage. Specialized topics take longer to assign.
- Revision rounds reset the clock. Major revision typically adds 6-12 weeks per round.
What to do while waiting
- Track status in the submission portal — status changes signal active review.
- Wait at least the journal's stated median before sending a status inquiry.
- Prepare revision materials in parallel if you expect a revise-and-resubmit decision.
_Last reviewed: 2026-05-16._
Quick answer: RSC Advances has a 2024 JCR impact factor of 4.6, accepts about 30 percent of submissions, and reports a median first-decision of 17 days overall and 27 days post-review. If still Under Review past 2 weeks, you have likely cleared the initial editorial screen.
Submission portal and editorial contact: RSC Advances uses RSC ScholarOne at mc.manuscriptcentral.com/rscadv. Editorial questions go to advances-rsc@rsc.org, referencing your manuscript ID.
RSC Advances desk-rejects roughly 30 to 40 percent in 5 to 10 days. If past that window, peer review is active.
While you wait
A RSC Advances submission readiness check flags characterization-completeness, chemistry-centrality, and benchmarking gaps that drive most desk rejections.
RSC Advances's review pipeline
Status | What is happening | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
Submitted to Journal | Administrative processing | Day 0 to 2 |
With Editor | Editor evaluating desk-screen fit | Days 2 to 10 |
Under Review | Reviewers invited or actively reviewing | Days 10 to 27 |
Required Reviews Complete | Editor synthesizing reports | 3 to 7 days |
Decision in Process | Editor finalizing decision letter | 2 to 5 days |
Decision Sent | Reject, R&R, or accept | Check email |
The editorial desk screen (about 30 to 40 percent rejected)
RSC Advances editors evaluate chemistry centrality, characterization completeness, and broad-chemistry significance.
Day 0: ScholarOne upload
The mc.manuscriptcentral.com/rscadv portal accepts the package and routes to a handling editor.
Days 1 to 10: Editor desk-screen
The handling editor reads the paper and decides whether to invite reviewers.
Days 10 to 17: Reviewer recruitment + review
RSC Advances moves fast: the 17-day overall first-decision median includes desk + review for shorter papers.
Days 17 to 27: Peer review completion
Reviewer reports return on a 2 to 4 week cadence; the 27-day post-review median reflects this.
Days 27 to 60: First editorial decision and revision
Single-revision acceptances run roughly 2 to 3 months total.
When to worry
- Rejection within 1 to 5 days: Administrative issue or scope mismatch.
- Rejection within 5 to 10 days: Desk rejection.
- Still Under Review after 3 weeks: Good sign.
- Still Under Review after 6 weeks: Reviewer delay.
What to do while waiting
- Do not contact during the first 4 weeks unless urgent.
- Prepare a point-by-point response template focused on characterization and benchmarking.
Readiness check
While you wait on RSC Advances, scan your next manuscript.
The scan takes about 1-2 minutes. Use the result to decide whether to revise before the decision comes back.
How RSC Advances compares to nearby alternatives
Feature | RSC Advances | ACS Omega | ChemistryOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Desk rejection rate | 30 to 40 percent | 30 to 40 percent | 40 percent | 35 percent |
Desk decision speed | 5 to 10 days | 7 to 14 days | 7 to 14 days | 14 to 21 days |
Total review time | 17 to 27 days | 45 days median | 3 to 5 weeks | 4 to 6 weeks |
Editorial bar | Broad chemistry soundness | Sound-science broad multidisciplinary | Broad chemistry applied | Broad chemistry general |
Submit if your paper passed the desk
If your RSC Advances paper is Under Review past 2 weeks, you have likely cleared the desk screen.
Think twice before assuming "Under Review" means safe
Editors retain discretion to reject after partial review. Our RSC Advances manuscript fit check flags characterization and chemistry-centrality gaps before reviewers do.
For a free pre-upload diagnostic, use the RSC Advances manuscript fit check.
Last verified: RSC Advances author guidance, RSC ScholarOne portal at mc.manuscriptcentral.com/rscadv, and editorial contact at advances-rsc@rsc.org.
The RSC Advances reviewer experience
Reviewer focus area | What RSC Advances asks reviewers to evaluate | How to prepare |
|---|---|---|
Chemistry centrality | Is the chemistry contribution central? | Frame around chemistry insight, not just application |
Characterization | NMR, spectra, microscopy as appropriate? | Include comprehensive characterization |
Reproducibility | Could another lab reproduce? | Provide detailed protocols |
Significance | Is the work scientifically sound and adds to literature? | Differentiate from existing work |
Methodology | Methods documented and standard-compliant? | Reference standards where applicable |
In our pre-submission review work with RSC Advances manuscripts
Three failure patterns generate the most consistent rejections.
Characterization gaps for the claims. Reviewers verify rigor.
Chemistry framing thin. Pure-physics or device-testing without chemistry centrality.
Wrong RSC venue chosen. RSC Advances competes with broader-OA venues.
Methodology note
This page was created from RSC Advances's public author guidance, RSC ScholarOne documentation, and Manusights review work.
Frequently asked questions
Your manuscript has cleared RSC ScholarOne admin checks and is being evaluated, either by the handling editor or by external peer reviewers.
RSC Advances reports a median first-decision time of approximately 17 days overall and 27 days for peer-reviewed manuscripts.
Wait at least 6 weeks before inquiring. Contact advances-rsc@rsc.org, referencing the manuscript ID.
Reviewers are evaluating the paper. RSC Advances typically invites two reviewers.
Yes. The 27-day-post-review median means many papers take longer, especially for revision rounds.
Past 6 weeks is the right moment for a polite, factual inquiry. Silence in the first 3 weeks is normal.
Sources
Best next step
Use this page to interpret the status and choose the next sensible move.
For RSC Advances, the better next step is guidance on timing, follow-up, and what to do while the manuscript is still in the system. Save the Free Readiness Scan for the next paper you have not submitted yet.
Guidance first. Use the scan for the next manuscript.
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Where to go next
Start here
Same journal, next question
- RSC Advances Submission Process: What Happens From Upload to First Decision
- How to Avoid Desk Rejection at RSC Advances in 2026
- Is RSC Advances a Good Journal? Reputation, Fit, and Honest Verdict
- Rsc Advances AI Policy: ChatGPT and Generative AI Disclosure Rules for RSC Advances Authors
- Rsc Advances Pre Submission Checklist: 12 Items Editors Verify Before Peer Review
- RSC Advances Submission Guide
Supporting reads
Conversion step
Use this page to interpret the status and choose the next sensible move.
Guidance first. Use the scan for the next manuscript.