PokerStars Steps----Theory

[JasonP530]

I have been playing a lot of the Step tournaments lately. When I get down to 3 or 4 players in the higher steps(4 and 5), I am unsure about how to proceed. The blinds are usually at 100/200 or 150/300 with a 25 ante where my stack isnt quite big enough to push(the reward isnt worth the risk) and not big enough to call. How patient should I be in waiting for the other players to bust as opposed to actively trying to bust them myself(with calling hands like 99/TT/AJ for 1/2-2/3 of my stack?

Any help you could give with flat step payout tournaments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks as always,
-Jason