Would it be a good idea to have a backup plan just in case I don't get into any SLP graduate programs?

[EGL0722]

I'm looking into applying to grad schools this fall, and I want to go for SLP. Long story short, I started out as a poll sci major at UMass, transferred to Temple in my sophomore year to start a career in health sciences (i.e. SLP), but had to withdraw from Temple in August 2011 (the beginning of my senior year) due to a major concussion. I have since returned to UMass to finish up my poll sci degree, and I will take the pre-reqs necessary for speech therapy.

Here are my stats:

GPA at UMass: 3.5 (GPA at Temple: 3.98)

Top GRE scores from each section: V = 160, Q = 150, A = 5.5

I had volunteer experience at Shriners Hospital of Philadelphia (Sept. 2010-Sept. 2011), an internship on the TBI unit at Magee Rehab in Philadelphia (Summer 2011), and an internship at a non-profit dealing with lead poisoning prevention (May-Sept. 2012)

I also have a personal background of 8 surgeries (ankle, open heart) and the aforementioned concussion. I'm working on my personal statements now, and I know I will have 2 phenomenal letters of recommendation and one very, very good one from professors that know me well.

Here are the schools I'm applying to for SLP: BU, Northeastern, Emerson, MGH Institute of Health Professions, UMass, Temple, URI, Baylor, and NYU. However, I know that SLP programs are very, very difficult to get into. I'm wondering if anyone thinks it would be wise for me to pick a backup plan, such as in social work or special education, just in case. I don't need a job that makes me a lot of money (this is honestly not meant to sound pretentious, but I do have a trust fund). I just genuinely want to help people and be involved in the medical field in some way.

I'd really appreciate some feedback. Thanks!!

[emmm]

I think backup plans are always a good idea. I had a couple of backup plans -- which reduced my application stress quite a bit, as I knew I'd be doing SOMETHING. It was fine that I never had to pursue any of the backup plans, just having them as options was enough.