How do you go by arranging 7 weeks accomodation?

That works out to about $45 a day - not too bad, considering. If you want to go cheaper, there are a few options. First, check with local monasteries and convents in the area. Some of them offer cheap rooms. They will be spartan, but you might get a deal. Contact the local YMCA, they might have good rates. You might have to use a bathroom down the hall, but you won't pay a lot. Another consideration would be checking Craigslist for someone wanting a roommate. Someone might be able to put you up for seven weeks for less. You can also check with banks to see if they might want someone to housesit at a foreclosed place for awhile. Finally, you might be able to find a RV park or campground with showers and restrooms. Not optimal, but might be fun for a few weeks.

While I am not a med school student, what my brother did while on elective was to sublet with another med school student from the area who was also on elective in another area.

I wouldn't worry about it if I were you.

Check Craigslist for housesitting opportunities, roommates wanted, and short-term furnished accommodations for rent.  Something will come up, usually in the last few weeks before you have to move there in my experience.

I'm with Erik, depending on the accommodations they can provide, that's not terrible. Now if they're putting you in a Salvation Army style tiny-ass room with a public toilet type thing, I'd consider elsewhere, but if it's livable as a dormitory, then just stick with what you're offered if you can afford it. 

 

If it's not satisfactory, then what a lot of my friends had ended up doing was renting a house down the block from their universities. Lots of space, freedom, but you're going to need a good few people to pitch in as house renting for one person is not so affordable. Living with people might sound fun for a while, I would personally prefer a place where I can occasionally have my own quiet space even if it did cost me a little more. 

 

The choice is yours as this is very much a budget and preference thing. If you're fine staying with random people and don't really care about commodities, then you have a myriad of options that lay in front of you. Also, camping.