I was an international student in grad school, and due to circumstance and poor habits, I was virtually living off my credit cards. I had some space and I would pay more than the minimum, but I would end up using it again for various needs from my stipend. I figured that once I started working, I would be better able to pay it all off over 5 or so months. My credit was decent, I hadn't missed payments or defaulted on anything.
I got a job when I finished school, just after my funding ran out.