Midnight

So I have a paper for an online course due sometime this weekend, and the wording has me a bit tied up. The reason is because it can go both ways, and both make sense, so I'm wondering, if there is an "official" standard to the usage. So the assignment/essay starts with this:

Essay #1 should be between 1,250 and 1,500 words and is due by midnight on July 3

That would take me 2.5-3 hours to write. I'd do it earlier, but I have a busy weekend, and don't have time to start yet, so I'm wondering when the absolute latest I can work and get it in on time is.

So is midnight on July 3 referring to July 3 12:00 am (meaning in 20.5 hours PST), or the midnight of July 3 (referring to the midnight of July 3rd, meaning 12:00 AM July 4th)?

I've had a professor purposely make something due at 11:59 PM so there is no confusion over this, but this prof doesn't have it listed out, so it leaves me a bit confused.

For God's sake email and clarify. I lost out on a quiz because of this -_-

For God's sake email and clarify. I lost out on a quiz because of this -_-

I emailed already, but it IS cutting it close, so I figured if someone else's been in this predicament before (because it is a pretty common one), they could input from their experience on this. Hopefully the prof emails me back soon (though it IS unreasonable to expect a reply till tomorrow, as I sent it out at around 9-10 pm).

July 3rd midnight, not the 4th.
I wouldn't know what's the logic but it's always like that for me.

Like said above, it's July 3rd midnight.

You could always clarify with your professor, though.

I'd also take it to mean midnight on July 3rd. I always think of Midnight = start of next day. So Midnight on July 3rd would become 12:01 AM on July 4th.

July 3rd midnight, not the 4th.
I wouldn't know what's the logic but it's always like that for me.

This is exactly why I asked:

Hi ________,

The essay is due before the clock rolls over into Monday the 4th.
Cheers,

Noel

Obviously meant something else to the prof.

Always, always go for the earlier option when in doubt. Don't waste time waiting for an answer. It's a hell of a lot easier explaining why you're early than why you're late.

Always, always go for the earlier option when in doubt. Don't waste time waiting for an answer. It's a hell of a lot easier explaining why you're early than why you're late.

Took the words right out of my mouth. This has happened to me on more than one occasion.

Always, always go for the earlier option when in doubt. Don't waste time waiting for an answer. It's a hell of a lot easier explaining why you're early than why you're late.

Yup. That's why I wrote the paper in 2 hours earlier yesterday afternoon. Getting an extra day before handing it in was a bonus, though I've never really been one to make revisions either way.

Isn't it always easier to say ''due until last minute 3rd July'' or something like that. We use that expression in Spanish and it totally clarifies this issue.

Isn't it always easier to say ''due until last minute 3rd July'' or something like that. We use that expression in Spanish and it totally clarifies this issue.

11:59pm or 00:01am works too. Bus companies in Brazil use that.

You'd think people would use 0000 hours to avoid confusion.

You'd think people would use 0000 hours to avoid confusion.

This. 24hr time makes everything much easier.