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Welcome to ThinkSTEP

We transform students into responsible adults who are ready to succeed in a challenging and complicated world.

Student transformation

Our Mission

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ThinkSTEP teaches leadership skills for admissions success

ThinkSTEP prepares students for the academic and soft skills that are required for success at university and beyond.

Our programs cultivate proactive and enthusiastic student leaders who achieve higher grades and AP/IB scores, discover their future goals, and build up impressionable resumés that top universities require.

We teach skills that top universities look for

Beyond academics, schools seek passionate and motivated leaders who have a purpose to make a difference in the world.

Grades aren't enough anymore.

In today’s competitive environment, top grades and test scores no longer guarantee admission to a top university. ThinkSTEP's innovative training elevates our students to become responsible adults who are ready for university life by teaching the following skills:

Proactive Mindset

Universities seek students who take charge of their own education and their own lives.

Passion and Focus

Students who combine two interests in their academics and extracurriculars have a higher chance of admission.

Determination

Students who face obstacles and overcome challenges show readiness for adult and university life.

Desire to Improve the World

Universities seek students who want to make an impact on society and prepare the world for the next generation.
Learn How ThinkSTEP Transforms Students

Trusted by parents from around the world

We offer unparalleled and personalized mentorship.

Students from 3 continents
50+
Top 30 Admits
60%
Top 50 Admits
100%

Meet the Founder

Michael Sedwick

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Michael and the ThinkSTEP team will guide you to admissions success

HARVARD. NYU. UCLA.

Michael’s lifelong love for learning and leadership convinced him to dedicate his life to instill the same passion in today’s youth.
 
He brings over 10 years of teaching experience and degrees in Business and Journalism to teach how writing and critical thinking impact our daily lives (and university admissions!)
 
Michael's professional and academic credentials include:
 
  • Harvard University
    Master's Degree, Journalism
  • NYU (Stern School of Business)
    Bachelor's Degree, Business Economics
  • UCLA
    Certificate in College Counseling
  • International Baccalaureate (IB)
    Teaching Qualification: Investigating Inquiry
  • Advanced Placement (AP) Training:
    Close Reading of and Writing from Challenging Primary Sources
  • Myers Briggs Type indicator (MBTI)
    MBTI Step I Certification

Our Team

Meet the instructors and educators that make up the ThinkSTEP team.

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    Michael Sedwick

    Founder/CEO

    Credentials

    • A.L.M. Harvard University
    • B.Sc. NYU Stern
    • College Counseling Certificate, UCLA
    • IB/AP Training and Certifications
    • Meyers Briggs MBTI Certification
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    Orrin Luc

    Tutor and Essay Editor

    Orrin loves to bring creativity to the classroom, using his deep expertise in Design Thinking and curriculum development. Orrin spent several years in Latin America as a US Peace Corps volunteer, and he enjoys sharing his love for culture and language with his students.

    Credentials

    • B.A., NYU Tisch
    • English Teaching Experience at International Schools
    • Curriculum Coordinator at IBM

Take the next STEP Contact Us Today

Let us help develop your child's maturity to prepare them for the exciting challenges ahead.

Inquire Now

Client Testimonials

Read about ThinkSTEP students who experienced both academic and personal growth

College Counseling

Based on my interests in sports marketing, Michael encouraged me to build my own shoe trading business. I could say in my applications that I had started my own business and earned thousands of dollars before graduating high school."

Kevin

Maryland

English

I had always been strong at finding the key points in texts, but I was never able to connect ideas strongly enough in my essay writing. Michael taught me the flow that raised my English grade from a B to an A."

James

Taipei

AP History

Document-Based Questions on the AP World History exam usually overwhelmed me, because there was so much information to process in such a little time. Michael’s think STEP writing process reduced my stress and gave me more time to complete my essay."

Emily

Linkou

AP History

How is it possible to write an essay that connects five random quotes and a map of colonial Africa? Michael helped make it easy, and I got a 5 on AP World History."

Josh

Hawaii

AP Politics

When studying politics, I had no idea that a government’s decision could be impacted by so many different factors. Michael helped me understand how to clearly break down various viewpoints, discover the degree of their impact, and effectively explain how the government should pursue a specific policy."

Jordan

Missouri

IB English

It is extremely challenging to analyze multiple poems all at once. Michael’s think STEP process helped me achieve the top possible mark of 7 on IB English Literature."

Mary

Taipei

ThinkSTEP Graduates

Alumni of ThinkSTEP who have reached their goals and secured their futures.

Columbia University

(Top 3)

Yale University

(Top 3)

Stanford University

(Top 6)

University of Chicago

(Top 6)

UPenn

(Top 8)

Northwestern University

(Top 9)

Duke University

(Top 10)

Brown University

(Top 14)

Notre Dame

(Top 15)

Cornell University

(Top 16)

UCLA

(Top 19)

Washington U. St. Louis

(Top 19)

UC-Berkeley

(Top 22)

Carnegie Mellon

(Top 25)

University of Virginia

(Top 25)

University of Michigan

(Top 27)

Tufts University

(Top 27)

New York University

(Top 30)

UC Irvine

(Top 33)

University of Florida

(Top 34)

UC Davis

(Top 38)

UCSD

(Top 41)

Boston University

(Top 42)

Case Western Reserve U.

(Top 42)

Northeastern University

(Top 44)

University of Illinois

(Top 46)

U. of Wisconsin-Madison

(Top 49)

Leigh University

(Top 50)

Penn State

(Top 50)

UW Seattle

(Top 62)