University of Michigan Hides Student Grades to Improve Mental Health

University of Michigan incoming freshmen in the largest undergraduate division will have their first-semester grades hidden and excluded from transcripts under a new policy announced by the school to curb student mental health struggles. Beginning this fall, the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts will grade first-semester students solely on a pass/no credit basis instead of traditional letter grades, according to a university statement.

Under the new program, students will still receive feedback from professors and know their grades internally, but those marks won’t factor into cumulative grade point averages. Transcripts will automatically state that all first-semester courses were pass/no credit. According to the college, true grades will be recorded internally for academic awards, scholarships, internships, academic advising, professional opportunities, and for students switching to a major outside the LSA college. Students will see traditional grades recorded on transcripts and reflected in GPAs starting in their second semester.

Campus Mental Health Initiatives and Institutional Goals

The LSA college, which serves nearly 20,000 students, implemented the change as part of the campus-wide Student Success Initiative. According to the college statement, establishing early momentum is the most important element of the initiative, and covering grades will help students start strong while curbing the mental health crisis unfolding among college-aged individuals. The college claims the program will support student well-being and foster collaboration instead of competition.

Higher Education Precedents and Criticisms

Similar programs have already been adopted by other institutions, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, Swarthmore College, and Wellesley College. However, the shift has drawn criticism from outside experts who argue the policy coddles students.

According to psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert, author of “Therapy Nation,” normal stress is increasingly treated as a mental health problem. “Getting a bad grade is disappointing. It can be embarrassing. It can make you anxious. But that doesn’t make it psychologically harmful,” Alpert told The Post. Alpert added that college should prepare students for adulthood, noting that employers do not hide bad performance reviews and that young people must learn that feeling bad is not the same as being harmed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do University of Michigan freshmen still receive grades under the new policy?

Yes. Students will still receive feedback and know their grades from professors, but the marks will be recorded internally rather than on official transcripts for the first semester.

Will hidden first-semester grades affect scholarships or internships?

According to the LSA college, true grades will be tracked internally and remain accessible for academic awards, scholarships, internships, advising, professional opportunities, and major changes.

Which universities use similar pass/no credit grading systems for freshmen?

Institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, Swarthmore College, and Wellesley College have adopted comparable programs.

What are your thoughts on hiding first-semester grades to combat student stress? Join the conversation by leaving a comment below, or subscribe to our newsletter for more updates on higher education trends.