That really depends on where you went to school. The "in" crowd at my school were some of the smartest kids. My best friend from college was scolded by his peer

That really depends on where you went to school. The "in" crowd at my school were some of the smartest kids. My best friend from college was scolded by his peers for "acting white" when he tried hard growing up. Pop culture stereotypes kids who try hard as "nerds", but I don't really think it is a terribly accurate reflection of reality; post-secondary education attainment is as high as ever, so unless you are determined to do unskilled labor or run in a gang, you are more likely to try than not.