guys are more shallow

I'm not sure if you're just venting but there is sorta a basis for this if you look up social stratification and mate selection theories. There is a study from a Texas tech professor regarding the effects on college women who either do not get in sorority of their choice or end up in a "lower" status sorority. It's a pretty interesting read and can account for drop in confidence and mood.
As far as mate selection goes with men, without going into much detail, men who perceive themselves as high-status, whether due to upbringing or high school popularity,ETC seek out mates for long-term/marriage based to some extent on early experiences. Attractiveness plays a large role but the "it" factor is just as important . This often is due a common early experience that a male might have, i.e. a girl who took his breath away, . the girl in high school who was the lead in the school play, or the class president who spoke at assemblies, or the head cheerleader, these are all common examples because there is the performance factor where he's watching her on "stage" and becomes enamored.This tends to be a love interest of a male who feels he is entitled to the best. It's a common "TV trope" too.
It's possible this comes into play as these type of girls tend to be drawn to higher-status organizations. Not to say this is what's going on but it's one theory. Men will always look to fill that need to have a girl that makes him feel like these early experiences. Human behavior is fascinating