Full Breakdown
University of Michigan to Hide First-Semester Grades for Freshmen Starting Fall 2027
9/6/2026, 12:33:15 AM
Policy Overview
Beginning in the fall 2027 academic term, the University of Michigan’s College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) will record first-semester grades for incoming freshmen as “pass” (P) or “no credit” (NC) on external transcripts. Letter grades will still be assigned internally for advising, financial-aid eligibility, and scholarship considerations, but they will not appear on official transcripts or factor into cumulative GPAs. The pilot aims to reduce academic pressure during the transition from high school to college.
Rationale from University Leaders
University officials say the initiative responds to a growing mental-health crisis on campuses.
Student Reactions
Student opinion is sharply divided. Some welcome the reduced pressure, viewing the policy as a supportive step for newcomers. Others argue that shielding grades may foster poor study habits, delay stress rather than resolve it, and undermine the development of resilience needed for later coursework.
Data & Statistics
- LSA is the largest of the university’s 19 schools and colleges, enrolling roughly 19,700 undergraduate students.
- Similar pass/fail or hidden-grade schemes have been used for decades at institutions such as MIT, Caltech, Wellesley, and Swarthmore.
Verbatim Quotes
- “If there are measures to ease the way for high school students coming to [university], I think that's a good thing,” — Alexander
- “I'm an engineer, so I go through all the weeder classes all the time,” — William Bushey, a civil engineering major, called the decision a good call
- “I think it's kind of silly,” — Talan
- “I think having more supportive resources is a better solution than hiding grades,” — Simran
- “Overall, it's just going to hurt more,” — Andrew Spencer
- “I don't entirely agree with that because I think it's just slowly transitioning them into what it's like to be at a school like the University of Michigan,” — Monica Diaz
