Is it possible to get a phone with T Mobile if you are new to the US and working on a visa (without getting the pre-pay plan)?

I've gotten several different answers depending on who I talk to, but so far have been unsuccessful in signing up with a plan through T Mobile.  I was told by a T Mobile representative that people working in the US on a valid visa were "pre-approved" for up to three phone lines, but it turned out T Mobile still wanted to run a credit check of my SSN (which is too new to show any credit history).  I am not interested in a pre-pay plan because I'd like a family plan that allows the reduced cost of having a second line, and don't want to pay for the whole phone upfront ($500+).