A Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics offers sharp intellectual depth and the breadth to apply technical knowledge to a variety of disciplines. The forma mentis of mathematicians makes them attractive to a number of industries, from Wall Street to engineering firms, and K-12 education. In view of this, it is not hard to understand why many technically gifted UCI students choose to major in mathematics. But how many of our students think about a career in mathematical research? When do they start even considering the possibility of pursuing graduate studies in mathematics? How do they learn what it takes to craft a successful application for a PhD degree in our top universities? Naturally, individual one-on-one interactions with our faculty and graduate students certainly take place and their role is invaluable, but in this talk I would like to explore an alternative and synergistic mechanism to address these questions in a more 'formalized' manner.

I will present a number of ideas, with the overarching goal of creating a platform to provide information, support, enthusiasm and critical encouragement to all our undergraduates that want to know what graduate school is about.