University of Michigan to pilot pass/fail first semester for freshmen to ease mental health strain

The University of Michigan will pilot dropping letter grades for first-semester freshmen in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts, starting next fall. Official transcripts will only show whether credit was earned, with GPA unaffected and internal grades used for honors and scholarships, as the school says the aim is to reduce mental-health pressures and allow students to explore new subjects. Details are to be shared this fall amid mixed reactions from students and staff; the policy is part of a broader national debate on grading and freshman preparedness, with comparisons to MIT and Caltech noted.