College Essay Format: Are Subheadings Okay?

Is it okay to use subheadings on a college application essay or should it strictly be in paragraph form?

There is generally a very strict word limit. Why would you want to “waste” some substantive words on headers which aren’t necessary?

^ I agree, and would also note that if your essay is so complicated that it needs headers to organize it, it might need to be edited and simplified.

I was going to say exactly what @techmom99 said before I read her post.