The OP didn't mention whether the end goal was a CPL. If it is, you need to also consider 150 hour integrated vs 200 hour courses. My understanding is if you start with RAA you'll need to do the 200 hour CPL course.
This is true. The outfit I'm doing my CPL with at the moment does the 150 hour course –*and so my 65-odd RAA hours I had before I started are worth nought.