personal essay?

College Essays
1

<p>"the admission committee would like to know more about you in your own words. please submit a brief essay, either personal or creative, which you feel best describes you"</p>

<p>does personal = informal? how should i go about telling them about myself without sounding either too stuck up and cliche or too informal?
also, for my "hook," i'm making a cute math reference. i think it's sweet so i want to keep it, but i'm applying for....biochemistry. should i change it? get a chemistry reference? get rid of the nerdy hooks in general?</p>

2

<p>It depends on what you mean by “informal.” For instance, you should not write in a “breezy manner,” as described [url=<a href=“http://www.amateurgourmet.com/2004/05/do_not_affect_a.html]here[/url”>Do not affect a breezy manner. — The Amateur Gourmet]here[/url</a>]. Avoiding clich</p>