Students are encouraged to allocate a larger fraction of their time to research than is possible in the four-year program. By extending the MD program to five or more years, a student can devote significantly more time to research. Many ways to accomplish this objective exist; one way is to extend the preclinical period from two to three years, balancing research and a reduced course load. Another common arrangement is to dedicate one or more full years exclusively to research. See the Policy on Length of Time to Complete the MD Degree in Section 2.08; see the Curriculum Continuity: Policy on Interruption in Section 2.18; Tuition Requirements for MD Degree Candidates in Section 6.02.