I understand that people who are rejected/deferred are crushed, that is a natural and understandable reaction. But I am always shocked when I see people saying that they did not expect to get rejected/deferred from top schools and especially from Harvard out of all places. The expectation when applying to Harvard should be non-acceptance for anyone, no matter how insanely qualified they are. That is the only way to approach it given the hard facts of how many people they turn down each year and the sheer caliber of many people they turn down. If you do not approach it like that and hype it so much in your mind that you think it is Harvard or bust, you risk crushing yourself emotionally when that deferral/rejection comes. This is the only way to approach applying to the most selective school in the country.
I know that over-achieving and hyper-competitive people are not very good at settling for their second or third choice but that is life. I sincerely hope that Harvard ends up working out for you and you should do anything in your power to make your dream happen, but if does not work then look at it as a life lesson. Many times you will not get your first choice in life no matter how hard you have worked for and wanted it. You still have to make do with what comes your way and move on, which i m sure in your case will be another terrific college if Harvard does not work out.