@cmsjmt, English and most European uni students are definitely more narrowly trained. Someone who majors in Maths at Oxford will study solely math for 3 years. Likewise, major in Classics, and that is all you are studying for 3 years. They’re seeking to groom specialists. The top American colleges are seeking to groom future leaders.
BTW, the Japanese privates can be holistic as well (many administer their own tests, but the top 2 privates–Keio and Waseda–do take some kids mainly because they are good at baseball).