Cessna's are great aircraft, the one minus I'll give it is the lack of all over good visibility due to its high wing configuration. Then again, many low wing aircraft have their own characteristics. Cons aside, the C172 is a very robust, forgiving, stable (stall the thing its just goes back to S&L), and frugal if you don't mind me saying so.
True, what you learn in doesn't make you any less or more of a pilot. In the end, its personal preference, what you like and whether your happy getting to know your choice intimately for the next 45-60 hours flight time.
FFW