This above...  To add to what he&#x2F;she said, to maximize your scores, you need at least 3 credit cards reporting. For a newbie, you should be able to generate a score within six months. BOA, Capital One and CUs are are good place to start. Also if someone can add you as an authorized user on their cards also helps a lot. Stay way from predatory lenders like First Premier and Credit One. Once you get it, always pay your balance before statement cuts and let only 1%-9% of the balance report to the bureaus.  Do this and in six months you will be qualified for unsecured cards...