Vac Scheme App submitted at 00:00 on deadline night

[legal_bagel]

Hi guys,

So I have been working on my Simmons & Simmons vac scheme app for ages but, for various reasons, couldn't submit sooner. I finally clicked submit exactly at 23:59 on the deadline night (15-Dec-2025), but the submission receipt I received indicates that it was submitted at 00:00 of 16-Dec-2025. I am confident in the quality of the app, and I didn't rush it through.

Has anyone been in a similar situation, and did you then get invited for an interview or the next stage?

I've made my peace with this and written this firm off in my mind for this year but would massively appreciate if someone has good news for me! :-{

Thanks!

 

[asplawyer100]

I mean, if it let you submit the form then it sounds like you managed to get it in before the deadline on their system? That’s a crazy situation though haha, I’m just imagining you sweating over your keyboard trying to get the application submitted with mere seconds left on the clock 🤣

 

[Giannis_218]

Hey, as long as you have submitted your application and received a confirmation email, you are fine. I know many people who submitted very close to the deadline and still progressed to the next stage at various law firms. What matters most is the quality of your application, not when you submitted it. Best of luck!

 

[FutureTrainee_101]

Hi guys,

So I have been working on my Simmons & Simmons vac scheme app for ages but, for various reasons, couldn't submit sooner. I finally clicked submit exactly at 23:59 on the deadline night (15-Dec-2025), but the submission receipt I received indicates that it was submitted at 00:00 of 16-Dec-2025. I am confident in the quality of the app, and I didn't rush it through.

Has anyone been in a similar situation, and did you then get invited for an interview or the next stage?

I've made my peace with this and written this firm off in my mind for this year but would massively appreciate if someone has good news for me! :-{

Thanks!

Hi legal_bagel,

While I can't say for sure whether your application has/hasn't been submitted, I would suggest that you try not to let it worry you for now, as it's out of your hands. The application process is gruelling, so you don't want to let this kill your momentum and prevent you from putting together quality apps for other firms!

If Simmons & Simmons was a real target firm for you though, and you were really invested in this, it can't hurt sending an email to their graduate recruitment team to inquire about your situation. They receive a lot of emails so may be delayed in their response - or not respond at all - but probably worth a shot.

Hope this helps!

 

[RasAlGhul]

Hi guys,

So I have been working on my Simmons & Simmons vac scheme app for ages but, for various reasons, couldn't submit sooner. I finally clicked submit exactly at 23:59 on the deadline night (15-Dec-2025), but the submission receipt I received indicates that it was submitted at 00:00 of 16-Dec-2025. I am confident in the quality of the app, and I didn't rush it through.

Has anyone been in a similar situation, and did you then get invited for an interview or the next stage?

I've made my peace with this and written this firm off in my mind for this year but would massively appreciate if someone has good news for me! :-{

Thanks!

This is honestly more common than you think, so try not to beat yourself up over it.

I’ve actually submitted applications myself exactly at 23:59 before and had the same thing happen. The confirmation email came through showing 00:00 the next day. It’s usually down to how the portal timestamps submissions rather than when you physically clicked “submit”, especially when lots of people are trying to upload at the last minute.

From what I’ve seen (both personally and from supporting other applicants), firms don’t treat this as a hard cut-off to the minute. Applications aren’t being auto-rejected at 00:00:01. Recruiters are well aware that their systems lag, particularly on deadline nights, and they’re far more interested in whether the application itself is strong.

A couple of things that should reassure you:
This kind of one-minute discrepancy doesn’t get “held against” you during review. If it’s looked at, it’s looked at on its merits.
In practice, people who submit around the deadline do still progress. I’ve seen interview invites come through in exactly this situation.

I also wouldn’t email recruitment about it. That can sometimes do more harm than good by drawing attention to something that they may not even consider an issue. At this point, the best thing you can do is exactly what you’re doing: park it mentally and focus on other applications.

If you get an invite, you’ll know the timing was irrelevant. If you don’t, it’s almost certainly going to be about the substance of the application rather than a technicality.

So don’t write it off just yet. Fingers crossed for you 🤞

 

[Sian]

Hi guys,

So I have been working on my Simmons & Simmons vac scheme app for ages but, for various reasons, couldn't submit sooner. I finally clicked submit exactly at 23:59 on the deadline night (15-Dec-2025), but the submission receipt I received indicates that it was submitted at 00:00 of 16-Dec-2025. I am confident in the quality of the app, and I didn't rush it through.

Has anyone been in a similar situation, and did you then get invited for an interview or the next stage?

I've made my peace with this and written this firm off in my mind for this year but would massively appreciate if someone has good news for me! :-{

Thanks!

Hi legal_bagel!

Thanks for sharing this, that’s a stressful situation, and it’s completely understandable to feel disappointed. The best step now is to contact Simmons & Simmons’ Early Careers team directly, explain what happened, and make sure to include all of your details: your full name, any reference number or application ID, and the date/time you submitted. They’ll be able to confirm whether your application can still be considered.

Fingers crossed for a positive outcome!

 

[S1kumo]

Hi guys,

So I have been working on my Simmons & Simmons vac scheme app for ages but, for various reasons, couldn't submit sooner. I finally clicked submit exactly at 23:59 on the deadline night (15-Dec-2025), but the submission receipt I received indicates that it was submitted at 00:00 of 16-Dec-2025. I am confident in the quality of the app, and I didn't rush it through.

Has anyone been in a similar situation, and did you then get invited for an interview or the next stage?

I've made my peace with this and written this firm off in my mind for this year but would massively appreciate if someone has good news for me! :-{

Thanks!

Hey @legal_bagel,

I can't say I've been in the exact same situation, but I've had friends who've been in the same position. I'd definitely say not to write off the firm in your mind, as every application submitted is a chance to secure the training contract offer you've been waiting for. If you received an email confirmation, then you should be fine. However, I'm aware that a friend of mine has previously emailed the firm to confirm receipt of the application, so this is also an option for you.

I hope this helps!