Analyzing Professor's email

[June_cosmo]

So I visited this school during application and briefly talked to the professor. I really want to do research with him and they have a really good program and everything. After a month---and I know they will get a decision soon, I thought I should send a follow up email and I got the reply on the same day:

"Thanks for getting in touch with me again! Our admissions committee, which is the first "hurdle" is getting closer to making decision. After they evaluate applications and give them their OK can can get active. This is a time were a lot of things are in flux and I'll be in touch asap. "

First of all I don't know what he means by "After they evaluate applications and give them their OK can can get active", who get active? 

Second I'm not sure how much hope I have here. Does it seem that the professor is very willing to accept me? Can he decide that I'll get admitted? Will I get interviewed again? Really frustrated 

 

Edited January 24, 2016 by June_cosmo
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[Eigen]

Why are you really frustrated?

The email sounds pretty clear to me. 

The admissions committee is reviewing applications. After they evaluate applications and select their top choices, the faculty can be more active in reaching out to those students and recruiting/talking to them about admission. 

You can't get interviewed "again", because it doesn't seem like you've been interviewed at all yet. Stopping by and talking with a professor during applications isn't an interview. 

The professor isn't the one who can accept you, the department is who accepts you. 

It's early in the season. If you're this frustrated with a nice letter from someone this early, you need to find a way to think/approach applications differently or the rest of the season is going to be really hard on you. 

[emmm]

It is unfortunate that the email is not more clear. I'm not sure what I'd make of "can can" either. I think Eigen is right in the interpretation he's given you, and I don't think any promises are being made here to you. It might be considered a positive sign that the professor didn't just ignore your email (many profs would have), but maybe he's just a nice guy (?) and it would be too much to read anything more into it than that. I am also waiting to hear back on my applications, so I understand your frustration. I want to know NOW -- either way -- the not knowing is the worst!