I live in PIT and PA is in the NYC consulate's jurisdiction. However, I can fairly easily get to DC later this week, while NYC is a bit harder.

Does the DC embassy process applications for anyone or just for those living in the mid-southern states (http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/zmzlljs/t84229.htm)?

India was very strict and denied me at the DC office, making me go to NYC even though it was much more inconvenient. I'm not seeing anything in print that warns me that it won't be accepted (like I did for India)...