-It seems yes, but I am not absolutely sure. You may contact Chinese Embassy in U.S.
Here is the website and you can find the contact information there:
http://www.sino-education.org/studyabroad/J1.htm
我看到我的那个J1 表上有被打勾(1 not subject to 2 year requirement...),
-It means nothing because this form is issued by the sponsor and the sponsor usually does not understand this issue well.
我以前回去签证, 拿f1时,也没有被问过.... 所以现在很confused, (我不太懂,听我朋友说也有2年限制的)??
-J1 holder can get F1 visa outside U.S. without J1 waiver, and that is why you did not have trouble to do that.