Oxford Economics MPhil+DPhil admissions

[gradhopeful12341]

Hi all! Trying to ascertain what Oxford looks for in MPhil+DPhil candidates in Economics, and how I can make myself more competitive over the next year.

- I majored in economics at an HYPSM with a 3.75 GPA.

- I generally had a very bad freshman year, and then had great grades after that -- but that includes Calc III (D) and Linear Algebra (B+), Intro Stats (B) which are the only pure math classes I took. I also took intermediate micro, macro, several econometrics classes, etc. all the classic stuff and did well (As) in those.

- I did an RCT for my senior thesis.

- I graduated 5 years ago and have been working since (MBB, then in economic development).

- I have a 339 GRE, 5.5 AWA

- My rec letters will be old so that is a concern, and one would probably need to be from a professional reference (and then 2 profs from UG)

I think I would only choose to do this program if I got into the joint program (vs just the MPhil), which is what makes it higher-stakes. This is because otherwise I'd prefer to do an MPA/ID or MPA, vs risk ending with just an MPhil if rejected to convert to the DPhil down the line and be "stuck" with that (it's not a bad degree at all, but it's not terminal and would look worse imo vs having an MPA/ID). 

Is my profile ballpark reasonable, or are they looking for something different? If ballpark, what can I do over the next year (e.g., take specific classes, try to RA for a prof in the department part-time, try to work on a research project on the side)? Also has anyone heard of someone doing the MPA/ID and then doing some sort of part-time DPhil at Oxbridge while working?