Generally speaking, the only difference between the regular consumer version of a particular credit card and the student version will be the credit limit, APR, and perhaps some other terms. Also, depending on which company you get the credit card from will determine whether or not they will let you "upgrade" or do a product change on your student card.
For instance, my roommate for this year had a BofA Student Visa which gave him no rewards whatsoever. After about a year, he tried calling BofA to have it converted to a Rewards card. He was denied numerous times and told that if he wanted a non-student regular consumer version rewards card, he would have to submit a new application.
Citibank on the other hand (and to the best of my knowledge) makes very little (if any) distinction between student cards and the regular consumer version. I originally applied for the Citi Student Driver's Edge card to start my credit history as it was one of my first credit cards. That card started out at a typical 18.99% APR for student cards and a typical limit of $1200 for a student version of the card. However, as I demonstrated my creditworthiness and kept paying my bills on time, that line was constantly increased to what is now over $17k today (only two years later) and I have a pretty decent APR of 8.9%. I also do recall one night when I called Citibank to see if I could convert my student card to the regular consumer version, and was informed that they made no distinction between the Student and regular consumer versions; apparently it only makes a difference in initial approval, credit line, and APR.
Of course, things may have changed now given the current credit climate so this may be a bit of outdated info, but thought you might like to know.
For instance, my roommate for this year had a BofA Student Visa which gave him no rewards whatsoever. After about a year, he tried calling BofA to have it converted to a Rewards card. He was denied numerous times and told that if he wanted a non-student regular consumer version rewards card, he would have to submit a new application.
Citibank on the other hand (and to the best of my knowledge) makes very little (if any) distinction between student cards and the regular consumer version. I originally applied for the Citi Student Driver's Edge card to start my credit history as it was one of my first credit cards. That card started out at a typical 18.99% APR for student cards and a typical limit of $1200 for a student version of the card. However, as I demonstrated my creditworthiness and kept paying my bills on time, that line was constantly increased to what is now over $17k today (only two years later) and I have a pretty decent APR of 8.9%. I also do recall one night when I called Citibank to see if I could convert my student card to the regular consumer version, and was informed that they made no distinction between the Student and regular consumer versions; apparently it only makes a difference in initial approval, credit line, and APR.
Of course, things may have changed now given the current credit climate so this may be a bit of outdated info, but thought you might like to know.
Starting Score: EQ 773, TU 766
In regards to getting approved with Citi, I can only speak from personal experience. It is also important to keep in mind, given the currect credit crunch, that they most likely tightened their approval standards.
Citi approved me for my first two credit cards shortly after I had turned 18 and with only one student loan reporting for less than 6 months, so I had no credit score when I was approved. (At the time my initial applications were for the Platinum Select and the Driver's Edge cards.)
Given that you have a credit history and that score, I'm not sure if Citi would approve. That would be dependent on the reasons why your score is such, what types of baddies, reasons for high util, etc. Perhaps one of the experts here could chime in on that matter.
Citi approved me for my first two credit cards shortly after I had turned 18 and with only one student loan reporting for less than 6 months, so I had no credit score when I was approved. (At the time my initial applications were for the Platinum Select and the Driver's Edge cards.)
Given that you have a credit history and that score, I'm not sure if Citi would approve. That would be dependent on the reasons why your score is such, what types of baddies, reasons for high util, etc. Perhaps one of the experts here could chime in on that matter.