@ALS0830 - there is no consistent system and you have to check back daily if you have a high interest in doing walk-ins. Some schools fill up all their walk-in slots on Monday and some still have slots open on following days. Some may not put their lists out until later in the day on Monday. Some schools may open walk-in slots on Tuesday or following days. Check the elevator lobbies for signs and posts each day.
If a school tells you to check back later, or the next day, make sure you make a note of who you spoke to & where they are - you won’t believe how many schools are there, over multiple floors, and down winding hallways!
My D found it much harder after the first day (more kids caught on :-)). Frankly, by the afternoon of Day 2, she was getting pretty tired. She did follow up with schools that told her to check back but did not jump out of bed and hit the floor by 8 for walk-ins after the first day!
Thanks everyone!
There are also several universities who are at The Palmer House, like Arcadia University in Greater Philadelphia, who offer sign-up times in advance of the Unifieds in addition to walk-ins. Here is a link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4dafab23a3ff2-spring. You will discover a handful of universities not officially part of Unifieds who are there.
For those who’ve been to the Chicago Unifieds in a previous year, do you have any recommendations on where to eat or where not to eat while at the Palmer House? I’m trying to do a little research so I have a plan when hunger strikes. I don’t think we can afford to eat at the hotel the whole time. 
There’s a Freshii’s (healthy sandwiches, smoothies) and a Corner Bakery (pastries, sandwiches, soup) inside the Palmer House complex for quick bites. Macy’s 7th floor has a food court. There’s pizza everywhere, though IDK if you want a lot of dairy around singing auditions? Wao Bao near the Clark and Lake stop is really good Asian fast food (dumplings, soup, stuff like that). Intelligensia in Millennium park is a little nuts but the coffee really is that good. There’s a CafeCito on Congress just north of Wabash (if you’re doing a CCPA call, it’s a block away) that has the best cubanos in Chicago and also very good cafe con leche and soups.
Things change, though, so Yelp is your best friend.
^^^ Love Freshiis! Lots of healthy choices. Pizza was the first item on the agenda after the last audition!
Em’s Dad, Thanks for the info. Can anyone share their plan of attack for unifieds? We have 4 scheduled auditions and hoping for at least 4 more walk-ins. Really have no idea what to expect. any ideas are welcome! TIA
@Jkellynh17 Thank you so much for all of this info!
No problem. One of the great joys of having a kid at CCPA has been getting to know Chicago a little bit.
Someone mentioned parking being expensive near the Palmer House. We drove to Unifieds and used SpotHero for a substantial discount. I agree no rental car needed if you are flying in. For meals, Corner Bakery and Cafecito were two of our favorites. We had a good dinner at the Berghoff as well. It was a nice walk.
BAL to all attending Chicago Unifieds beginning this weekend! An out-of-left field change in my employment situation made it so that I cannot attend-but my D will be there, and I am hoping for safe travels, HEALTH, and awesome auditions for all!!!
Does anyone know how far CCPA is from palmer? If we want to be there at 915 what time do we leave?
It’s an easy walk if the weather is not too cold … under a mile and flat. They do hold auditions in several different buildings, however, so be sure you have the correct one …if you have the time to give an extra call before the day of the audition to double check the building, in my opinion it is worth it. (We were initially misdirected last year …but fortunately the correct place was not too far away and they were very gracious about giving my D time to get settled and warm up.)
I would say ten minute walk. (Go out of PH on the Wabash Side. It’s the zigzaggy-shaped blue building at 425 S. Wabash. And if you go in on the Wabash side, the people at the desk will tell you how to get to the audition room.)
Just want to wish all those auditioning and their parents break a leg. Have fun!
Does anyone know where University of the Arts is holding their auditions? I assume it’s an off-site location because they’re not on the Palmer House list. My D is hoping to find a cancellation or walk-in spot. Thank you!
Is there a list of universities that allow walk ins and their locations where they hold auditions? We have The Palmer House list but was curious as to where the other universities are holding their auditions who would consider walk ins.