Worth retaking sat for early action Yale just for essay?

I am very happy with my multiple choice, as I scored a 1580 on one attempt. I know that is a good score and I am blessed. As I took it like 2 months ago, I will definitely incur a worse score and more stress when I retake. However my essay was an 18. I have heard various tales on the essay, some saying anything above a 15 is considered roughly the same and some saying 21 or bust. Is it worth it in your opinion, or is it a waste of study time?

Waste of time, and you risk a lower score. Assume you got A’s in English classes and will write good essays for your application. Those indicia’s of writing ability matter way more than a timed test taken on 1 day.

If you have the money and time go ahead. If you get a bad score, use score choice.

Don’t believe Yale allows score choice. Don’t retake.

@Meaningoflife42 With a 1580, Yale will base their judgment of your essay writing ability much more on the quality of your essays than on your SAT essay grade. I also tend to think that one-and-done earns a certain amount of respect. No need to retake.

Don’t do it.

I am not an AO, so I have no inside information, but I would wager that Yale is looking for kids who have better uses for their weekend time than retaking a perfectly fine SAT for the purpose of improving their essay score. As @BKSquared said, they’ll read your essays and determine whether you can write or not. No disrespect to the College Board’s essay scorers, but I’m sure that the AO prefers their own readers to an anonymous on-line scorer.

I probably should have said this sooner but thanks for the advice everyone, I vowed not to take it after the first reply lol