In the mid 80's the average Otolaryngology applicant applied to 15 programs, today the number is 36. More applications for the same number of interviews inevitably means fewer interviews per application. However, this does not mean that Otolaryngology has become more competitive. Whether you will be invited for an interview and whether you will receive an offer, depends on your credentials relative to those of other applicants, not on the number of applications. Training programs compete for the best applicants.
Successful applicants receive about three offers and retain the best one.
Four of five U.S. seniors did better than one offer per five interviews. 6-9 interviews may be appropriate for some applicants who wish to extend their number of interviews based on feedback from their first interviews. 10 or more interviews seems excessive and unnecessarily expensive. Based on the credentials submitted with each application, on your personal statement, and on your letters of reference, programs will decide whom to invite for interviews. This is the first stage of the selection process.