I'm considering whether to apply for a DPhil in mathematics, either this year or next. It seems like a long shot, as I'm starting my third year and I am unsure as to what a successful application would include. I'm not sure my university does "predictive grades," but my average is comfortably over 90%, so I would assume it would be a first. However, I feel that this is not enough to make me stand out amongst some very able candidates (I'm not the most interesting person when it comes to hobbies and extracurricular activities). There are few universities in the UK that specialise in the particular area of mathematics that I wish to study, Oxford being the best. My other dilemma is that, on the slim chance that I do get in (only around 30/300+ applicants are successful), I would not be able to afford the tuition/living costs without some form of scholarship. Am I wasting my time thinking of applying for a DPhil here, or do you think I have some chance of being admitted? Since it's a rather niche area I wish to study, I feel as though this would be my only shot at a PhD.