I've always advocated Nerd dating. It would very tough on me in high school, since I was labeled a "jock", but wouldn't go after the cheerleaders or anything. I was more interested in the genuinely nice girls that were in the band or academic clubs or whatnot. However, they always thought I was up to something, to play a gag on them, because I was a "jock", and would eventually intentionally hurt me just to get back at all the mean shit the "jock" crowd had done to them in the past.
However, some people are so happy to have someone interested in them that share similar hobbies, tastes in foods, music, or even similar life patterns, that that person just might turn out to be one that will make you MUCH happier than the "hot chick that likes bad boys" will ever make you. Remember, physical stuff can only last for so long and will eventually fade away... the mental and spritual connections, however, can last as long as your mind does. And there's something to be said for something like that.