When to start looking at programs? When to start emailing professors?

[historygeek]

I will be applying to grad schools next year, for Fall 2021 entry. When should I start looking at programs, and when is it appropriate to start reaching out to faculty members?

[TMP]

In short: summer before for programs, mid-fall for professors.  And kindly use the search functions to see a variety of answers to your question.