yellowismellow

"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"

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?

absent

It depends on what you mean by "informal." For instance, you should not write in a "breezy manner," as described here. Avoiding clichés and sounding "stuck up" can be done through rewriting and editing. I suggest reading collections of published essays (and not just college admission essays either) if you're not sure where to start, or want examples of great essay writing.

As for the math reference, since you like it and want to keep it, leave it in. As long as your essay reflects you, then you're fine.