I transferred into UIUC at 23 as a junior. I had spent a couple years in community college as well as a couple years working, supporting myself, and traveling. I went to UIUC because it is the best public school in IL, but it turned out to NOT be a good place for me with my level of life experience and need for city living and diversity. I was miserable here because I felt like I was back in high school in the north shore. Had I come to UIUC straight out of high school there is a good chance I would have enjoyed it, but at 23 it was horrible.
Because of my bad experience and some money issues I decided to drop out after a month. Now you know things had to be really bad for me to not stick it out for at least a semester. But when I went to drop out I had to go visit with several people who were basically there to make sure that I was making the right decision. They all felt I was especially when they found out how old I was. The average age at UIUC is 19 and the maturity level at that school really showed.
Yeah, I probably could've gotten a better education at UIUC than I did at UIC, but I would have suffered in so many other ways that it was really one of the best decisions I ever made. UIC has an average age of 22 and much higher diversity rates. That and it is in my wonderful city of Chicago.