My son differentiates between the words �geek� and �nerd�. In his view, �geek� is more socially acceptable and denotes intelligence and ability for academic pursuits that are generally considered hard. He tells me that �nerds� have similar interests, but what they lack in ability, they make up for with denial.

I don�t know how wide spread these definitions are (my daughter agrees with them), but it sounds like your daughter would be a geek rather than nerd based on these descriptions.