Complete Your Application
TL;DR — Your institution shares an application link. Open it, sign in or create an account, and you land on your Application Timeline. Complete each stage in order — forms, fees, and interviews — then click Submit Application when every step is done. The Progress Overview sidebar shows how far along you are at a glance.
Before you start
- You need an application link from the institution (e.g. a link shared by email or on their website). If you don't have one, contact the admissions office directly.
- A BrightStep account — you'll be prompted to create one (or sign in) the first time you open the link. No pre-registration is needed; the account is created on the spot.
Open your application
- Open the link provided by your institution.
- If you're not signed in, you'll be redirected to the sign-in page. Sign in or create a new account.
- After authentication you land on the application portal — the page shows the campaign name, your Reference number, the Deadline (if one is set), and an IN PROGRESS status badge.
Keep your reference number — you may need it when contacting support.
Application Timeline
The left column of the portal shows your Application Timeline — a list of stages in the exact order you must complete them. Stages unlock one at a time: each stage only becomes available after you finish the one above it.
Each stage shows:
- Its name and a short description (if the institution added one)
- The stage type — form, interview, or payment
- Any special Instructions from the admissions team (shown in an amber panel when the stage is active)
- Action buttons for your current state
Stage statuses
| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| Locked (grey lock) | Not yet available — complete the stage above it first |
| Active (colored icon) | Your current stage — action is required |
| Completed (green check) | Done and accepted |
| Rejected (red X) | The admissions team did not approve this stage |
| Revision needed (amber !) | A completed form was sent back — update and resubmit |
Stage types
Form stages
A form stage asks you to fill out and submit a questionnaire. When the stage is active, click Open Form to begin. After submitting:
- If the stage advances automatically, it moves to Completed straight away.
- If it requires manual review, a hourglass icon appears and the stage shows the form is Under review — wait for the admissions team to approve it.
- If revision is requested, an amber banner appears with a Revise Form button — update your answers and resubmit.
Interview stages
An interview stage requires you to schedule and attend a session. When active, the stage shows the interview duration, format (video, phone, in-person, or hybrid), and a Schedule Interview button.
After booking, the confirmed date, time, and format are shown on the stage card. Click View Interview Details to review or reschedule.
Video, phone, and hybrid interviews are recorded. An orange notice is shown on the stage when this applies.
Some interviews are scheduled by the admissions team instead of self-booked — if so, the stage shows "Your interview will be scheduled by the admissions team."
Payment stages
A payment stage requires you to pay an application fee. When active, the amount and a Proceed to Payment button appear. After a successful payment the stage shows Payment Completed with a View Receipt link.
If you paid by bank deposit, the stage shows Receipt Submitted while your receipt is being verified. You'll be notified once it's reviewed.
Track your progress
The right sidebar shows your Progress Overview — a progress bar and the count of Stages Completed out of the total. Use this to know at a glance how far along you are without reading each stage individually.
Submit your application
Once every stage is marked complete, a Ready to Submit banner appears at the bottom of the timeline. Click Submit Application to formally send your application to the admissions team.
After submission the banner changes to Application Submitted — your work is done. You'll be notified when a decision is made.
Submitting signals to the admissions team that you consider your file complete. It does not change your individual stage statuses.
Get help
The Need Help? card in the sidebar has buttons to reach the admissions team by email or WhatsApp (if the institution has configured these). On mobile, a floating support button appears at the bottom of the screen at all times.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| "Deadline Passed" page when opening the link | The campaign's application deadline has passed | Contact the admissions office — deadlines are set by the institution |
| A stage is locked and won't open | The previous stage hasn't been completed yet | Finish the active stage above it first |
| Stage shows "Revision Required" | The admissions team sent your form back for changes | Click Revise Form, update your answers, and resubmit |
| Stage shows a hourglass / "Under review" | Your form is submitted and waiting for manual approval | No action needed — you'll be notified when the review is complete |
| Payment shows "Receipt Submitted" | Your bank deposit receipt is being verified | Wait for verification — you'll receive a notification |
| "Application Limit Reached" error | You've reached the maximum number of active applications allowed by this organization | Withdraw from an existing application before applying to a new one |