My son requires an X1 student visa for study abroad in Beijing next year.

We are closest to the Chinese Embassy in Washington DC have not been about to talk to anyone there for >1mo. I have left messages, emails, and faxes w/o response. Does anyone know if you need to have an appointment for that face to face interview? We are coming from Tennessee so want to be efficient. Any idea on what kind of question they ask? THANK YOU for your help on these 2 questions.