University of Michigan adopts pass-fail grading for first-semester freshmen

The University of Michigan will stop giving letter grades to first-year students in their opening semester, starting in 2027. Instead, students will receive either a "pass" or "no credit" on their transcripts. The university says the change will help reduce stress, depression, and anxiety among new students. All first-semester freshmen in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts must follow the new system. It will not be optional, because the university believes a voluntary system would not achieve its goals. Officials say the policy will help students adjust to college life more comfortably. Other universities, including MIT and Caltech, already use similar approaches for first-year students.