US News
University of Michigan plans pilot program to remove first-semester letter grades from transcripts
The College of Literature, Science and the Arts will replace official first-term letter grades with a pass/no-credit system starting in fall 2027.
The short version
- The University of Michigan's College of Literature, Science and the Arts plans to launch a pilot program in fall 2027 for first-semester, first-year students.
- Students will still view their individual class grades, but the letters will not appear on official transcripts or factor into GPA calculations.
- Administrators aim to improve mental health and encourage academic exploration, while critics and some students express concern over academic rigor and graduate school preparation.
- The university is currently working out final policy details, including how success metrics and graduate admissions concerns will be addressed before implementation.
Key facts
- The College of Literature, Science and the Arts (LSA) at the University of Michigan plans to launch a pass/no-credit pilot program in fall 2027 for first-semester, first-year students.[Associated Press]
- Under the policy, students will be able to see their individual class grades, but the letter grades will not be listed on official transcripts or affect their GPA.[Associated Press]
- LSA associate dean for undergraduate education Tim McKay stated that the program's primary objectives are fostering academic exploration and boosting student mental health.[Associated Press]
- Transfer students will not be eligible for the program, and administrators indicate students will likely not be permitted to opt into showing first-semester grades on their transcripts later.[Associated Press]
- LSA represents the Ann Arbor campus's largest college, enrolling more than half of its undergraduate population and nearly 5,000 incoming first-year students in fall 2026.[Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- It remains unconfirmed how the university will precisely measure mental health outcomes and whether hiding initial grades will impact graduate school applications or internship prospects.[Associated Press]