Looks like the programme is just starting to come online... http://consoletech.net/forum/showthread.php?t=262
I received an email yesterday saying I would be notifed within thow days if I made it ... "Greetings Halo® Nation and thanks for your interest in participating in the Halo 3 multiplayer public beta. Phase one registration is now closed. If you have been selected to participate, you will receive an email notification within the next two days. For those of you that didn't make it in - fret not as this phase one was just the first of three ways to secure entry into the Halo 3 multiplayer public beta."
I'm apparently in with a 2nd email that said details would be forthcoming on how to get the beta shortly. A shame I hate Halo...