University of Michigan to switch to pass/fail grades for first-semester students

The University of Michigan plans to replace letter grades with a pass-or-fail system for its first-semester students, aiming to tackle the growing mental health crisis among college-aged individuals. Dean Rosario Ceballo stated that this change has the potential to address alarming rates of stress, depression, and anxiety among students while delivering on the college's promise as a liberal arts and sciences institution.

Timothy McKay, associate dean for undergraduate education in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA), added that the new program will provide a smooth transition for LSA students from high school to college, allowing them to refine their academic skills and build early momentum. The pilot scheme will only apply to LSA students, with transcripts displaying "pass or no credit" instead of letter grades.

This move follows a 2024-2025 Healthy Minds Study, which reported a decrease in severe depression symptoms (from 23% in 2022 to 18% in 2024) and a reduction in suicidal ideation (from 15% in 2022 to 11% in 2024) among college students. Several other universities, including MIT, Caltech, Swarthmore College, and Wellesley College, are also considering similar grade-passing initiatives.

Harvard recently implemented a 20% cap on A grades to curb grade inflation, while professors at UC Berkeley and University of California San Diego have called for reinstating college-entrance exams due to severe preparation deficits among students.