I am in my last week of ground school. I can give you what I have so far. The gouge is rock solid. The classes can be long and getting practice sim time requires a letter from the pope. Other than that it does seem more relaxed but I don't know about the actual atmosphere when you get in the plane. Some of the others I'm sure can fill you in. It also makes a difference if you are placed in 9 or 7. My roomate got 7 two weeks ago, I am in 9. The others will also have better gouge on the squadrons.
Semper Fi