The University of Michigan has announced a new pilot program that will hide first-semester letter grades for incoming freshmen. Starting in fall 2027, students enrolled in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts will have their first-semester transcript grades designated as pass (P) or no credit (NC). This decision is part of an effort to combat what university officials describe as a growing "mental health crisis" on college campuses.
According to the university, the goal of the program is to help first-year students acclimate to the demands of college and allow intrinsic motivations to guide their academic journeys. Students will still receive traditional letter grades and feedback from professors throughout the term, but the final marks will not appear on official external transcripts or factor into overall GPAs. The university will retain internal letter grade records for advising, financial aid eligibility, academic awards, and scholarships.
Some students have expressed support for the policy, citing the relief it could bring from academic pressure. Alexander, an exchange student from Austria, said that easing into college expectations could be beneficial. Ella Langlois, an LSA student, noted that giving the policy a test run would not hurt. William Bushey, a civil engineering major, called the decision a "good call," suggesting that it would allow students to focus on their studies without the stress of grades.
However, not all students are on board with the policy. Some argue that shielding grading consequences promotes poor study habits and ignores the root causes of student anxiety. Talan, a freshman neuroscience major, said that the policy could coddle students and fail to prepare them for the real world. Simran, a sophomore business major, suggested that hiding grades avoids teaching resilience.
The University of Michigan is not alone in implementing such a policy. Similar pass/fail or hidden-grade policies have existed for decades at institutions such as MIT, Caltech, Wellesley, and Swarthmore.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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