Too Young to Rush/Pledge? (Not yet 18)

[naraht]

Are there rules in various fraternities/sororities that a person has to be a certain age in order to join? I initiated into Alpha Phi Omega on my 18th birthday, so I didn't have a problem, but if I had been even one day younger, I would have had to have a parent sign my brotherhood paperwork as well.

Does this requirement that the person has to be 18 to sign the paperwork for themselves exist in other groups?

While pledging 17 year olds who will turn 18 in November or December would, I expect, be common unless there are rules against it, is anyone familiar with anyone who was younger than 17 when they pledged/joined?

(I do know of one case where an Alpha Phi Omega chapter made a child of an advisor an honorary brother before she was High School age, but I'm looking for the standard entrance process)