I agree with the above in that you should just go for it. Not being successful with these schemes should not be seen as an indication that you can't hack it. If they are being truthful in their feedback then a hard decision meant they considered you but on a different day with a different bunch of candidates you might be successful.
You still need to be critical of yourself at all times but encouragement from your instructors in your previous flying experience is a good indication of your skills.
Are you a potential commercial pilot? Take your flying to PPL level and see how it goes. Look for honest feedback from your instructors. Get your class 1 first!!
You have other skills that can help pay for your training and is a great fallback in case it doesn't work out.
In the end you are the only person who can make the decision to go ahead or give up the idea. I say go for it but it is not my money and time so it is up to you and I wish you the very best in what ever you decide.