University of Michigan axes letter grades to curb freshman ‘mental health crisis’

The University of Michigan will nix letter grades for first-semester freshmen, a policy the school hopes will help students “start strong” and “curb the mental health crisis.” “Our goal is to help first-year students acclimate to the demands of college and allow intrinsic motivations to guide personally meaningful acad

School said it is pivoting away from letter-grading system to ‘curb the mental health crisis’ among college students The University of Michigan will pivot to a pass-or-fail-style grading system, instead of letter grades, for first-semester students in an effort to “curb the mental health crisis unfolding among college-

The university will make first-semester grades pass or fail, to encourage students to explore different classes and lessen fears that “a low grade may have long-term consequences.”

Come fall 2027, official transcripts for first-semester freshmen will record only whether credit was earned

The University of Michigan's new pass-fail grading policy for 2027 freshmen aims to curb the mental health crisis, but a psychotherapist warns it may backfire.