The Academy Awards are considered one of Hollywood's biggest nights, not just for nominees, but for all members of the entertainment industry. Not only does voting by the Academy begin months in advance, but so does the preparation for attendees. For us college sorority girls, we have one night of our year where we put in just as much effort as a celebrity getting ready for the Oscars. What night is that, you may ask? That night is formal. The preparation for both is stressful and exciting all at the same time. These are six ways preparing for the Oscars is just like preparing for formal.

1. The invitation

As a sorority member, about a month in advance, your social chair announces the theme and date of formal at the chapter meeting. As a celebrity, you find out if you've been nominated, or receive your official invitation about a month in advance as well. Let the anxiety and the excitement kick in!

2. Finding the perfect dress

Will you go long? Short? Sleeveless? The possibilities are endless and it never feels like you have enough time to perfect your look. Celebrities begin consulting their stylists and contacting their favorite designers, while sorority girls consult their friends, make 20 trips to the mall and frantically search every online shopping site they know. This is the one night of the year where you need to be dressed at your absolute best, or you'll never forgive yourself.

3. Finding a date

If you have a boyfriend you're lucky enough to skip this step, but if not, you better start asking now. Some celebrities are lucky and are married or in relationships by the time award season rolls around, but the other half need to find the perfect accompaniment that hopefully won't cause the gossip columns to explode the next day. The same goes for sorority girls, because if you bring the wrong date, you'll be dealing with the drama and the rumor mill for months.

4. Getting ready

There are few things more important on a night like this than what you look like. Both groups must spend the day going for manicures, pedicures even spray tans and waxes before the night begins. The day of the event is full of running errands, attending appointments, and never feeling like you'll have enough time to complete it all. It's absolutely essential that your hair is curled to perfection, your nails match your dress color and that you have the perfect accessories and shoes that will stand out.

5. Taking pictures

The pictures from these evenings can make or break your experience. A bad picture taken on the red carpet is sure to ruin any celebrities nights or even year, and a sorority girl who can't get a picture for her Instagram is doomed. How will anyone know you attended this fabulous event without a photo to prove it? How will the world judge who was best and worst dressed without an incredible red carpet photo, or a live from the red carpet interview with Giuliana Rancic?

6. Attending the event

After all is said and done, the night is over in the blink of an eye. Sorority girls arrive at the venue in their charter buses and celebrities step out of their limos. The venue is decorated to perfection, everyone spends half the night trying not to throw up, and often times tears are shed. If it didn't go as smoothly as you had hoped, it's okay, there's always next year!