HSPS application help

Hello!

I'm applying for Cambridge this year for the HSPS course. I'm really passionate about the subject and have a keen interest in politics and international relations in real life. However, I've come to realise that I haven't got enough "super curriculars" to put on my personal statement. I've applied for the Sutton Trust summer school at Cambridge, and I went on the CUSU Shadowing Scheme with a HSPS student. What else could I do to make my super curriculars look more impressive? Any books that it would be good to read?

Also, if anyone on here is a HSPS student/fellow applicant and wants to share tips about personal statements/interviews/anything then I'd be very grateful.

Thanks!

You really do NOT need to have work experience unless you're applying for medicine.
Most important thing is build up and strengthen your knowledge and analytic ability on what's happening in the world, both currently and historically, from objective/academic point of view.

If you're main interest is in politics and international relations, a lot of reading on the subject should be good enough.
I assume you already follow current affairs on newspapers and tv/radio news programmes (Newsnight? Daily Politics? There're many fantastic programmes on Radio 4 you shouldn't miss. Get BBC radio iPlayer app. You can download it and listen to them on the go)
I'd also recommend reading The Economist every week (if you're not doing it already), at least, and lots of books. Or Time, Newsweek.

Also there're some lectures/talks organised by university/think thank/research institute/etc. on the subject that is open to public, so it's worth attending those as many as possible not just for your PS but for your genuine interest, too.

So read, read, and think about what you read. Try not to be judgemental and become too opinionated when you think about those. It's important to gain ability to observe and analyse things from objective and unbiased point of view because that's what they want to know if you're capable of.

Those things would be enough if you do sufficiently and effectively. But if you really want to have a work experience, maybe you can try your local MP and see if he/she can give you some time yo spend with them in the office.

I am strongly of the opinion that if the EC is clearly relevant to your discipline, it can help the application.