[dgfitz]

I made the mental leap of “the advisor reached out because they saw the potential” which I assumed… was assumed.

[kelipso]

No it's not on an individual basis, outreach work means something more like the professor talked to a group of students about their work and what they can do to join their lab for a phd. There are lots and lots of undergrads who don't know a thing about graduate school.

[nsagent]

In this case, "outreach" means [1]:

  the extending of services or assistance beyond current or usual limits

  | an outreach program

[1]: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outreach#dictiona...