What is expected in terms of topic and length for the sample of written work, or short research essay that must be sent with the application?
The instructions are opened ended to allow for flexibility. A paper of 10 to 30 pages would be useful –although we could not reject a longer paper. The paper is intended to demonstrate writing and research skills, and facility with scholarly apparatus, generally. The topic is not important in this sense. A course paper would be quite appropriate.