I was in the beta for SWG and we all hoped the same thing; that they would grant the ability for characters who were in beta to keep their levels, items, etc.. but the reality is that there are sooooo many beta testers that you would really be upset if someone got to keep their things and level through luck of the draw.
Yes, the beta testers are providing a valuable service to Sony but the truth is Sony is giving them something very valuable as well. The ability to save hours and even days trying to find the best places to level and the fastest ways to level that give them a huge advantage to those of us still praying to make it into beta.
My suggestion is that if you make it into beta, A) provide as much feedback as you can because you are making the game bug free so that you are not upset about being stuck in a wall while a monster beats you to death and B) figure out where and how you can go from level 1 - 15 in 5 hours instead of 5 days!!!
Good luck everyone!