University of Michigan to Change Freshman Grading Policy
Beginning in the fall of 2027, the University of Michigan’s College of Letters, Science, and the Arts (LSA) will implement a new grading policy affecting freshmen’s first semester. This change means that grades will no longer appear on first-semester transcripts. Instead, the transcripts will show whether students passed or received no credit, without detailing specific grades.
The initiative, referred to as the “First Semester Grade Cover Pilot Program,” aims to support students in their transition to college and address the rising mental health concerns among them, according to LSA. This policy aligns with similar efforts at several other institutions, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which has maintained such a program since 1968.
Other universities, like California Institute of Technology, Wellesley College, and Swarthmore College, have adopted comparable practices. Notably, Johns Hopkins University previously had a similar approach from 1971, though it was discontinued in 2017 due to concerns that grading could negatively impact students’ academic development and confidence.
The University of Michigan hopes that this pilot program will help first-year students adapt to university life, fostering a journey driven by their own motivations, as stated on its website. The LSA is the largest college within the university, enrolling over 3,500 first-year students as of fall 2025.
While LSA students will receive grades and feedback in their courses during the initial semester, these will not be reflected in their GPA or on transcripts. According to MIT, similar policies are intended to facilitate a smoother transition, allowing students time to adjust to the demands of their new academic environment.
In addition, LSA will introduce an optional pass/fail assessment starting in fall 2024. This means that rather than receiving a standard letter grade, students could receive a pass or fail designation for certain courses, particularly electives. However, this option won’t be available for required courses in a student’s major or minor.
