Mesh,
I know one of the five who was selected and he was someone who followed a modular course through a number of different training providers.
You should also take note of what Danny wrote in the quote from PA28 (it wasn't PA28 who made the final selection):
My point is, at no time when I had to narrow down the field of almost 200 candidates to 25 did I take into consideration where any of the candidates had studied for their licences. As long as they had the licence they were considered and it came down to how they presented themselves in their applications. There was no scientific formula and as long as their enthusiasm, maturity, intelligence and attitude shone through then they had a chance.