Citi application question

[ltorres25]

I applied for a Citi student credit card and got this message at the end:

"Thank you. We have received your application and further processing is required at this time. We will contact you within a week via email regarding our decision. Thank you for requesting a Citi Forward® Card."

Does this mean I got declined?

[Smug]

I had that and I was declined....

[Anonymous]

My 19 year old got that and she called them and got approved.

Call the backdoor number.

[ltorres25]

OK, Thanks for the replies. I am going to call one of the backdoor numbers and see if I have any luck.

[Anonymous]

i think its so they can try to confirm that you are actaully a student and not lying on the application.

definitely try calling to help move the process along. it cant hurt.

[Anonymous]

I think I got something similar to that, but I think mine made mention of them needing more information. A little link for a live chat popped up, I clicked on it, the rep asked me a few questions about my identity, then about 5 minutes later I was approved for $4,000 CL. I applied for the Dividend Platinum for students.

Good luck!

[ltorres25]

Thanks, I called one of the backdoor numbers that is on the sticky threads in this forum and I was told they don't have an answer yet. The rep told me to check again in 24-48 hours. The suspense is killing me, I really need a credit card in order to improve my score. I currently have 0 credit cards and only 1 installment loan that has always been paid on time.

[Anonymous]

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@ltorres25 wrote:

Thanks, I called one of the backdoor numbers that is on the sticky threads in this forum and I was told they don't have an answer yet. The rep told me to check again in 24-48 hours. The suspense is killing me, I really need a credit card in order to improve my score. I currently have 0 credit cards and only 1 installment loan that has always been paid on time.

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I just recently got into the credit game as well. I'm only 20, so I by no means have lengthy credit history. Any Citi card is considered a "prime" card, which may be a bit difficult to get if you don't have any credit history at all. I tried Citi a few times before finally getting approved.

I started out with a Capital One card and a card from my credit union. If Citi doesn't work out, I would definitely try either Cap1 or a credit union. Cap1 has great cards for establishing/rebuilding credit. You'll likely get a crappy limit, but if you keep up with it, you'll be getting a prime card before you know it! I just recently got that Citi card and an American Express ZYNC card, after starting with crummy Cap1 cards and a CU card. Sometimes you gotta work your way up.

[frogfan12]

I agree 100% with the post above. Focus on establishing credit first. When I turned 18, I got a credit card from my bank (BOA) and used it to buy small items and I always paid in full each month. That positive credit history allowed me to qualify for 2+ lines with a cell phone company and later obtain several CCs that same year. When I was 18, I applied for BOA first and after about 3 months I applied for Old Navy, Capital One, and another BOA card. Looking back, I should have cooled it but now those cards are all over 5 years old and while I had some fairly low limits ranging from $300-$500 initially, my CC limits have increased dramatically and I have since applied for a Citi CC and was approved with a nice credit line. I also receive tons of offers from AMEX and all sorts of nice CCs in the mail on pretty much a daily basis. My advice would be to establish a card with a bank that you already have a relationship with, use your card sensibly, and it will all work out.

[Anonymous]

I got that message when I applied with Citi for my first card in 2007.

A week later they emailed me, letting me know I needed to provide verification of education status (basically if I was a student or not). I sent in the requested documents, and they emailed me a week or so later letting me know I was approved, and that they looked forward to serving me for many years (I'll never forget that, haha).

So you may be approved. I'd say it's likely vs. not, but things have changed in the 4 years since I got my first card.