cwhs wrote:
I would say that unless you're specifically encouraged (which was in your case), the etiquette is to not participate.
Of course. I'm just pointing out that someone that's new to the process of applying to b-school and b-school visits could reasonably not know this. I think it's a reasonable mistake someone could make and it shouldn't be unduly held against them. Ideally whatever expectations are in play should be explained to visitors beforehand.
cwhs wrote:
I would even venture to say you shouldn't participate even if you are encouraged by the professor since s/he may not know what admissions would think is appropriate. If you raise your hand in class and one of the students complains to admissions I don't think it'll be too good for the candidate. If you sit still, nothing will happen.
None of that is a visitor's fault. If admissions wants instructors to not allow visitors to participate that's something the school needs to work out internally and the expectations should be explained to visitors. If a visitor gets caught in the crossfire between admissions and faculty that reflects poorly on the school and how they deal with class visits, not the visitors themselves.
Also, if a student complains to admissions because a visitor (probably accidentally) committed a breach of etiquette and actually goes to the trouble of personally identifying them in order to damage their chances should they apply...I'm going to go out on a limb and call that person a jerk.