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Twin Cities big/midlaw secure? Shot at NYC biglaw? Or was I screwed the moment I sent in my deposit here? Thanks guys.

Your GPA likely puts you in the top quartile (historically the line is at about 3.5 - 3.6) but not necessarily the top 10%. In any case, you'll never know, so don't worry about it. You'll be in the running for the top Twin Cities firms: Dorsey, Faegre, Robins, Fredrikson, Briggs, Lindquist, Oppenheimer, Winthrop, Gray Plant, etc. In the last few years, NY firms would have been a stretch, but things are brighter lately. Did you hear about Law Review yet? Any relevant or impressive work experience?

Of course, the big variable here is your interpersonal skills, which could be a limiting factor, a huge asset, or neutral. I saw one brilliant guy with grades like yours strike out at OCI because he is absolutely insufferable.

How's a GPA like that going to compare to people coming from T-14's? Both in the door then a matter of personality?

Personality always matters, so yes. Depending on the other person's grades and school, you might be outmatched at the screening stage, but there aren't enough t14 applicants to crowd out the applicants from the U. You can get interviews.

If you have a personality and can sell wanting to be in Minnesota, you should be fine for the Twin Cities firms. I wouldn't get my hopes up though on getting to one of the larger markets (NYC, DC, Chi, etc.).

I had a higher GPA than you and LR at the U and still barely squeaked into biglaw. My advice is to make sure you mass mail like crazy. DO NOT just rely on OCI or you could easily get burned.

I believe personality matters. but really .... what can you tell about a person from a short interview and a call back? no one will show their true nature.
let's say who's better 'skills' or who's a better actor/actress.