I feel like this is a bit off topic, but I do want to reply here.
This is just simply not true. In fact, I have found the opposite to be true. Many of my friends from high school were the uncool, weird, nerdy kids. I also had to be friends with very popular kids from chamber singers. What I can say is that the nerdy kids don't really care about opportunities to "rise up the social ladder." Why? They care more about being able to be themselves rather than having to mold themselves to fit in a group. To them, real friendship is more valuable.