The 141 vs. 61 flight training debate comes up frequently. My experience has been that 61 usually works better (and tends to be cheaper) and I would not recommend that a student let 141 certification be a deciding factor in selecting a school.

However...if you find a school that suits your needs, which happens to have a 141 program here's an idea that might help you save time and money (I have done this with students before)...

Ask the school to enroll you in the 141 program (especially if you feel you need all the classroom training) but sit down with your CFI and review the requirements for both 61 and 141 for the rating you are working on. Keep track of these requirements as you progress. Unless you are the perfect student and nail each 141 lesson the first time, it is possible that you will meet the part 61 experience requirements before you complete all of the 141 lessons...if this happens, do some checkride prep and take the checkride under 61!

If you complete all the 141 lessons before your CFI deems you ready, then just take the 141 checkride.

This will prevent you from being locked into 141 program even though you are ready to move on. This is especially pertinent to folks who have previous flying time...they are likely to meet 61 aeronautical experience requirements long before they finish a 141 course.