How do I decline admissions to Oregon State University?

Portland State University (Portland, Oregon)?

• I'm a junior in high school, considering colleges to apply to and trying to draft a shortlist of places to visit and eventually to apply to. It looks I'm going to apply with a pretty mediocre GPA (3.0 unweighted) and SAT (1670: 530 Math, 530 CR, 610 Writing) range. However, from what I can tell having looked at PSU's website and admissions criteria, they seem relatively easy to get into, saying people even below a 3.0 can get in with certain SAT scores around 800-900 on a 1600 scale (I have a 1060 on the 1600 scale). Would this be a target school for me or possibly even a safety? Also, I'm interested in studying language/ linguistics, majoring in language as an undergraduate. If you can think of any other schools I could 'get by' in and possibly get admitted to, feel free to make suggestions (but please don't mention schools like Tufts, Georgetown or Middlebury - I don't stand a chance at these places!) NOTE: I've only taken the SAT once and am planning to take them again in May/ June.

• Answer:

  PSU cares mostly about your ability to pay, or to facilitate someone else paying for you. What is your target degree? What do you plan to do after college? These are far more important questions for selecting a school. It matters who you go to school with and what the school's reputation is in the career you begin. PSU is largely career neutral. But it also the largest university in Oregon so there are plenty of opportunities to form personal and professional networks.