You’re staring at a syllabus for a class that seemed like a great idea in August but now feels like a direct threat to your GPA. We’ve all been there. Maybe it’s a random elective that turned out to be way more work than expected, or a core requirement that just isn't "clicking." This is usually when someone in the 68th Street cafeteria whispers those four magic words: Pass or No Credit Hunter College.
It sounds like a get-out-of-jail-free card. Honestly, it kinda is. But if you don't know the specifics, you can accidentally lock yourself out of your major or mess up your financial aid. Hunter's policy is surprisingly strict compared to other CUNY schools, and the "P/NC" system has evolved over the last few years.
Basically, the Pass or No Credit (P/NC) option allows you to take a class without a traditional letter grade affecting your cumulative GPA. If you pass, you get a "P." If you fail, you get an "NC." Simple, right? Not exactly.
The Fine Print of the P/NC Policy
Hunter isn't just handing these out to everyone. There’s a ceiling. You are allowed a maximum of four courses total during your entire undergraduate career at Hunter to be assigned a P/NC grade. If you’ve already used three, you’ve only got one shot left. Choose wisely.
Also, don't think you can just slack off until finals and then flip the switch. The deadline is real. Usually, you have to submit your request by 11:59 pm on the day before the last day of classes. For the Winter 2026 session, for instance, that deadline is Wednesday, January 14. Once you hit "submit" on that form in the Registrar's portal, there is no going back. It’s final and irrevocable.
What Really Counts as a "Pass"?
At Hunter, a "P" grade covers a lot of ground. It replaces any passing grade from an A all the way down to a D.
- The "P" Grade: Replaces A, B, C, or D. You get the credits, but your GPA stays exactly where it was.
- The "NC" Grade: Replaces an F. You don't get the credit, but—and this is the big win—it doesn't tank your GPA like an F would.
- The "WU" Grade: This is the trap. If you stop showing up and get an Unofficial Withdrawal (WU), the P/NC policy cannot save you. A WU still counts as a zero in your GPA calculation.
Why Your Major Might Say "No Way"
This is the part where most people get tripped up. Just because the college allows P/NC doesn't mean your department does.
Most majors at Hunter College prohibit the use of P/NC for any course required for the major or minor. If you’re a Psychology major and you try to P/NC a required stats class, the Registrar will eventually "un-convert" that grade. They’ll look at your record, see the violation, and put the original letter grade back on your transcript.
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The "No-Go" Zones
Departments like Nursing, Medical Lab Sciences, and Accounting are notoriously strict. They need to see your actual grades for certification purposes. Even the Math department is tough; they generally prohibit P/NC for almost all MATH or STAT courses except for very basic ones like MATH 100 or 102.
If you're planning on grad school, especially med school or law school, be careful. Those admissions committees often look at a "P" and assume you got a "D." It’s a cynical way of looking at it, but it’s the reality of competitive applications.
How to Actually Apply
You don't just tell your professor you want a Pass/No Credit grade. In fact, your professor has nothing to do with it. They still submit a regular letter grade for you at the end of the term. The conversion happens behind the scenes at the Registrar's office.
- Log into your CUNYfirst account.
- Navigate to the Document Uploader or the specific Undergraduate P/NC Request Form on the Hunter Registrar website.
- Fill out the details for the specific class.
- Wait for the confirmation.
Financial Aid and the "P" Grade
Talk to a financial aid advisor before you do this. Seriously.
To keep your TAP or Pell grants, you have to show "Satisfactory Academic Progress." While a "P" gives you the credits, an "NC" does not. If you end up with too many NCs, you might fall below the credit threshold required to keep your funding. It's a domino effect that can get expensive very quickly.
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Actionable Steps to Take Right Now
If you're currently struggling in a class and considering the Pass or No Credit Hunter College option, do these things in this specific order:
- Check your major requirements: Open the Hunter College Undergraduate Catalog and look up your specific major. If the class is listed as a "Requirement," you probably can't P/NC it.
- Count your uses: Look at your unofficial transcript in CUNYfirst. If you see three "P" or "CR" grades already, this is your last one.
- Email your advisor: Ask them specifically: "If I P/NC this class, will it still fulfill my [General Education/Hunter Core] requirement?" Usually, the answer is yes for core classes, but it's worth getting that in writing.
- Assess your standing: If you're likely to get a B- or better, it's almost always better to take the letter grade. If you're hovering in the D or F range, the P/NC is your best friend.
- Beat the deadline: Set a calendar alert for 48 hours before the last day of classes. The website has been known to glitch when everyone tries to log in at 11:58 pm.
Choosing P/NC isn't a sign of failure. It's a strategic move. Sometimes you need to protect your GPA so you can keep your scholarship or stay off academic probation. Just make sure you aren't trading a short-term GPA boost for a long-term headache with your degree requirements.