<p>Everyone always says that one's college essays sound be casual and "sound like YOU". However, the way I speak and write is actually more poetic, grammatically proper, all that...to write "casual" would be more forced for me, I think. But I don't want colleges thinking I'm just being pretentious even though I'm really just writing in my true voice. Any suggestions or advice? :-/</p>
<p>I don’t know that writing comes off as pretentious as easily as speaking. From how you describe it, your writing sounds pretty reasonable and acceptable, as long as you are consistent with that tone.</p>
<p>Okay, thanks. 
I’ve decided to keep it simple but infuse some poetic sentences here and there when appropriate. :P</p>