Johns Hopkins was modeled on Heidelberg. It was the first school in the US to offer a Ph.D. IMO there are several areas where Johns Hopkins is similar to a European University.
Concentration on one subject. When I was there everyone listed a major. The major requirements were intense, but the general requirements were not. Most people went there to study something in particular.
Emphasis on academics. It is all study, and student are not selected as much on ECs as other schools.
Emphasis on SAT IIs. My record was sort of messed up for various reasons, but when I applied to transfer, they indicated they were very interested based mainly on a 740 and 800 SAT II. In Britain admission is mostly on subject exams and that may be true in other countries.
Intensity. Maybe this is more a result of the German influence and being originally a PhD school. Most courses are a lot of work and there is sort of an attitude of we make it hard for you to prepare you for later school and work.