How Can Applying for a credit card affect your credit

[bk201]

My dad on christmas eve tells me hey let's go to costco to get a costco card for you.
Me: Okay.
Dad: Let's sign you up for a credit card too.
Me:

Keep in mind I have no job.
So I sign up.
They send me a paper telling me to fill out a bunch of info to see if I qualify for the card.
My dad can pay for these fees but I don't feel like having him pay for my credit usage is a good idea and it feels wrong imo.
I have no intention in filling out the forms they sent me.
I would like to know how this might affect my credit in the future.
Will this show that I'm desperate for money?
I applied and they sent me a follow up for so will failing to submit the forms be a bad thing?
Edit: I'm 18 and my dad told me that having the card would help build up my credit.
Aren't there other ways a broke college student can do that?
As always any help is appreciated and thanks NT.

 

[its that dude]

I don't know how, but it does.

 

[lalph rauren]

if you applying to 2 at a time or more they might think you need money or are broke

 

[10littlefigures]

i applied for 4 and maxed them all out in 3 months when i was a senior in hs. i wasn't even broke, just to lazy or unwilling to ask my parents( who were more than capable) for the dough. that was 4 years ago and my credit has been steadily increasing over the years without provocation.

 

[the notorious bum]

If you cant afford to pay for the stuff you purchase with a CC don't even think about getting the CC