The University of Michigan’s College of Literature, Science, and the Arts announced a grading policy shift for incoming students. Beginning in fall 2027, all first-year students will receive pass/no credit grades for their initial semester rather than traditional letter grades that affect their academic records.
Under the new system, students will continue to receive grades and detailed feedback from instructors on their coursework. However, these grades will not be factored into students’ cumulative grade point averages and will not appear on external transcripts sent to employers, graduate schools, or other outside entities. External transcripts will instead simply note that all LSA first-semester grades have been automatically designated as pass/no credit.
The institution’s internal records will maintain the actual letter grades earned during the first semester for institutional purposes, including academic advising, consideration for awards and scholarships, and evaluation for internships and other opportunities. University officials cited multiple objectives for the policy change, including creating an environment where students can adjust to the rigors of university-level coursework while exploring new academic interests without fear of grade penalties. The initiative is also intended to foster greater collaboration among students rather than emphasizing competition, and to contribute to broader efforts to address mental health challenges among college-aged populations.
The policy aligns with similar initiatives at other institutions. Johns Hopkins, Goucher, and Swarthmore have previously implemented pass/no credit grading systems for first-year students. Additionally, many colleges and universities adopted pass/fail grading structures temporarily during the COVID-19 pandemic as a measure to reduce student stress during that period.
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