<prompt> Human: Hello, I recently turned 18, finished freshman year in college, and opened a bank account. After the account was setup, I was told I would be submitted to see if I qualify for a credit. I dont care for having one at the moment, but I was declined about a week later because of a lack of credit history which brought my credit score to 627. If I want to begin the process of building a good credit score, what should I do?  <response>: First thing, being credit worthy and having a good credit score are two slightly different things. Its easy to over time game the credit score formula for an high score as long as your finances stay in order. Being credit worthy means exhibiting good credit traits in your past. There are tons of sites that teach you how the formula works. Google it and you will find it. Remember to consider the FICO score formula, not some random stuff. Also remember that the FICO is becoming less relvalent over the years, because it is easy to game and doesnt factor in your income and expenses. So alot of lenders have their own formula and scoring system that may incorporate your income and expenses. So I would remember to remain credit worthy. Pay on time and be able to show proof of a rainy day fund. One trap of gaming the formula is obtaining a high amount of total credit limits via different cards relative to your income in order to have a low credit balance to limit ratio. That can be seen as you having a capacity to get into too much debt, even if you have no intention to take on that much debt. Ill get started with a secured credit card and a savings account to store emergency cash. Since you are in college, remember to keep your student debt low. You can not shake off student debt unless you pay it and you will pay it sometime. Remember, that student loans will be on your credit report so the less amount of loans you have the more credit worthy. 